Friday, February 14, 2025

WIRTW #747: the 'tariffs' edition


The Trump administration just announced new tariffs on aluminum and steel. That might not sound like a big deal to most, but for small businesses—including my beloved craft breweries—25% is a gut punch.

The craft beer industry is already struggling post-Covid. Breweries took on debt to survive the shutdowns, taproom traffic isn't what it used to be as many consumers shy away from alcohol, and supply-chain costs have been unpredictable and high. Now, just as many are trying to regain their footing, they get hit with another hurdle.

Most craft breweries package their beer in aluminum cans. If the cost of aluminum goes up because of tariffs, so does the cost of packaging. And it's not just cans, brewing equipment is made of steel. Fermenters, brite tanks, brewhouses, kegs, construction materials—all of it. So, breweries that want to replace aging equipment, expand, or just keep up with demand are looking at higher costs across the board.

And let's be clear: These costs don't just disappear. Breweries will have to pass them down to consumers. That means your favorite local beer is about to get more expensive. Meanwhile, the biggest players—macro-breweries with deep pockets—can absorb these price increases far more easily than your neighborhood local. This isn't just an economic issue; it's a competition killer.

Tariffs like these don't "protect American businesses." They protect big business at the expense of the little guys who drive innovation, create jobs, and bring character to our communities. If we want to support small businesses, we should be fighting against policies that make it harder for them to compete.


Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The attack on DEI does not mean employers must or should eliminate anti-harassment training


Even as some push back forcefully against DEI workplace initiatives, courts are pushing back even harder. Consider these excerpts from Diemert v. City of Seattle, in which a federal judge dismissed the claims of a white man who alleged that his employer's mandatory DEI training created a racially hostile work environment.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Protecting the rule of law


"Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power." — Vice President JD Vance

We need to talk about the rule of law—because it's under serious attack.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

How to respond to the Justice Department's DEI hitlist


"The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division will investigate, eliminate, and penalize illegal DEI and DEIA preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities in the private sector." 
 
That's the key sentence from a Feb. 5, 2025, memo that Attorney General Pam Bondi sent to all DOJ employees.

What does it mean? No one really knows. What we do know is that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are top priorities for this administration. The key question is how the administration defines "illegal."

Here's what we can infer so far:

Friday, February 7, 2025

WIRTW #746: the 'fly, eagles fly' edition


All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are you ready for the Big Game? As a Philly native and die-hard Eagles fan, I sure am! 

Here's the official Ohio Employer Law Blog prediction for Sunday. Eagles 31 - Chiefs 27. Book it. Hurts, Barkley, et al., deny Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce their threepeat. Saquon runs for 165 and 2 touchdowns. Hurts throws for 200 and touchdown, and tush pushes his way for another. Brandon Graham returns from injury to score a key sack. And rookie phenom Quinyon Mitchell seals the win with a last minute interception. At least that's my dream scenario (other than a stress-free blowout).


Also, please check out the latest episode of The Norah and Dad Show. Norah and I discuss her 2nd semester of college, her classes, and her recent biliteracy certification. We also discuss our recent naming to the list of the best dad and daughter podcasts

You'll find the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, Overcast, the web, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. 


Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

What the EEOC just said—and didn't say—about the current state of workplace right


"The EEOC is open for business." That's what the agency just declared in a series of frequently asked questions about the impact of Trump's Executive Orders on its operations and the laws it enforces.

The FAQs acknowledge the agency's lack of a quorum and its resulting inability to issue or rescind guidance or policy statements. They also affirm that the EEOC continues to accept and process discrimination charges, conduct investigations, issue right-to-sue letters, and litigate cases.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

What hiring and employment look like without DEI


What does a country without DEI look like? Some people say that's what they want. No more diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in hiring or the workplace. Just a pure "meritocracy."

So what does that actually look like?