Employee Handbooks & Policy Changes: What to Watch for in 2025

From rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies to fundamental changes in the ways companies operate, recent events have had profound impacts on workplaces across Pennsylvania. In an effort to protect themselves, many companies are overhauling their employee handbooks and policies—and, in many cases, these overhauls are having direct and substantial consequences for their employees.

As an employee, this is critical to keep in mind. When companies put their interests first, it is often their employees who pay the price. If your company has recently made changes to its employee handbooks and policies, you should review these changes carefully—and you should keep them in mind in the event that you experience an adverse employment action.

What Employees in Pennsylvania Need to Know About Their Legal Rights in 2025

With this in mind, what are some specific examples of employee handbook and policy changes that can have implications for employees’ rights in Pennsylvania? Here are five examples:

1. Elimination of DEI Policies, Departments and Initiatives

Many employers—both private and public—are eliminating their DEI policies, departments and initiatives as a result of President Trump’s Executive Order titled, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, issued on January 21, 2025. In many cases, these efforts are negatively impacting current employees and leading to employment-related decisions that companies would not have previously made.

2. Changes to Immigration-Related Employment Practices

The federal government’s crackdown on illegal immigration has caused many companies to reconsider the immigration-related aspects of their employee handbooks and policies as well. For foreign nationals who are living and working in the United States, these changes can present substantial risks—and these workers must be prepared to try to protect themselves if necessary.

3. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Human Resources and Other Areas

The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is also changing the way that many companies do business. This includes changing the way that many companies manage their workforces. Already, we have seen companies’ use of AI in human resources result in clear violations of employees’ rights—and, here too, employees need to be prepared to take legal action when warranted.

4. Subtle Changes that Have Disparate Impact on Similarly Situated Employees

While some companies are overhauling their employee handbooks and policies, others are making more subtle changes. However, even these subtle changes can potentially have significant consequences for employees. Regardless of the changes your employer has made, it is important to make sure you understand them, and to watch for signs that these changes are having disparate impacts on similarly situated workers.

5. Additional Pay Transparency (Potentially)

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania legislature proposed a law that would require employers to provide increased pay transparency. This follows a trend that we have seen in other states. While the proposed law (HB 560) is not yet final, if it becomes final, employers will likely need to update their employee handbooks and policies to reflect this change as well.

Discuss Your Legal Rights with a Philadelphia Employment Lawyer in Confidence

Do you have questions about your legal rights as an employee in Pennsylvania? If so, a Philadelphia employment lawyer at our firm can explain everything you need to know. To request a free and confidential consultation, give us a call at 267-273-1054 or inquire online today.