Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee signed the nation’s first menopause accommodation requirements into law earlier this summer.

Effective June 24, an employer operating in the Ocean State must protect and reasonably accommodate employees experiencing symptoms of menopause unless it can show evidence that providing such an accommodation would cause undue hardship to the business. The state becomes the first to protect women experiencing symptoms of menopause, which can include vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats, brain fog, migraines, and others.

“Menopause is a difficult and personal subject that has been stigmatized in this country, but as something that affects half our populations, it’s time we recognize it as a workforce issue—especially as our workforce ages along with our population,” said the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Lori Urso (D), in a statement about its passage.

“The current lack of protections contributes to inadequate retirement savings and lost leadership opportunities for women, and poses an economic challenge for employers facing workforce shortages and the loss of experienced employees.”

For more on key takeaways from this novel menopause accommodation law, keep reading here.—AD

The Department of Labor (DOL) is expanding a series of programs that allow employers to report and correct workplace violations to avoid formal investigations or lawsuits.

The Biden administration had discontinued one such program, which focuses on payroll violations, over concerns it violated workers’ rights and disincentivized employers from following the law. That program will now be revived, giving employers the opportunity to resolve violations under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Why the Trump administration is encouraging self-audits. The DOL highlighted six agencies under its direction that are launching, continuing, or expanding self-audit programs, including the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

In a statement issued regarding the agency’s self-audit programs, Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said the programs were intended to give employers the tools “to correct potential violations proactively.” The practice of self-auditing, he added, is “one of the most effective ways to build a culture of compliance and trust.”

For more on how this program may make it easier for employers to avert penalties, keep reading here.—CV

Ready for more uncertainty?

President Donald Trump on Friday fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after what he claimed was an inaccurate July jobs report. The move may cast doubt on the accuracy and reliability of government statistics moving forward, experts told CFO Brew.

What’s that mean for businesses? If they feel uneasy about the data coming from the feds, they will likely rely more on other data sources to verify what those agencies are reporting. Organizations will also be more cautious in their forecasts and investments, the experts said.

“It is very disheartening and concerning to see the BLS commissioner fired over monthly jobs numbers,” Maria Flynn, a former senior executive at the Department of Labor and CEO of nonprofit group Jobs for the Future, told us.

For more on the ripple effects of last week’s BLS commissioner firing, keep reading on CFO Brew.—AZ