The Department of Labor recently published its final rule amending the definition of “spouse” in the Family Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") regulations to include eligible employees in legal same-sex marriages. Beginning on March 27, 2015, same-sex spouses will be covered under the FMLA if the employee was legally married under the law of any state, regardless of the employee’s state of residency. To view the full alert, click here. To receive Polsinelli L&E alerts direct to your email, click here.

On March 25, 2015, in a case that garnered significant attention from employers prior to hearing, the U.S. Supreme Court created by a 6-3 vote a new approach for proving and defending against pregnancy discrimination and accommodation cases. The Court's ultimate question – "Why, when the employer accommodated so many, could it not accommodate pregnant women as well?" – and subsequent ruling should provide insight for employers today. To view the full alert, click here. To receive L&E alerts direct to your email, click here to subscribe.