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Michelle Travis (she/her)

@michelletravis.bsky.social

73 followers 61 following 46 posts

Law Professor | Award-Winning Author | Speaker | Forbes Contributor | Mom of Two Teen Daughters | Writes about employment law, work/family integration, gender equity, and the future of work.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

ISO Enacts Global Workplace Menopause Standard As US Lags Behind

The International Organization for Standardization has advanced gender equity by enacting a 2026 global standard on best practices for menopause support in the workplace.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

AI Is Transforming Work Emails (And Not All Humans Like The Result)

A 2026 survey finds that 51% of US workers prefer receiving slightly messy but personally written coworker emails over receiving polished email messages generated by AI.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Managers are adopting AI faster than their employees. So what do employees actually think about their managers' use of AI? A 2026 study by Omni Calculator should be a wake-up call for managers who use AI to perform their own job tasks. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... #AI

Managers Who Use AI Risk Losing Employee Confidence And Trust

When managers use AI to do their own job, 42% of employees view the manager as less competent and 36% trust the manager's judgment less, according to 2026 survey results.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

A new study has found that AI tools can invent their own new biases about demographic groups during hiring tasks—even when the AI tools are trained on perfectly neutral data. And AI was even more likely to form new biases than humans who performed the same hiring task. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

AI Hiring Tools Don’t Just Learn Bias, AI Forms New Biases Of Its Own

A 2026 study found that even when AI tools are trained on unbiased data, the AI tools can invent their own biases about demographic groups during an employee hiring task.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Why do women use AI in the workplace at lower rates than men? It's a rational response to a documented competence penalty that women face when they use AI. Evaluators see women's AI use as a sign of inability, while attributing men's AI use to initiative. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Women Who Use AI Seen As Incompetent; Men Who Use AI Seen As Pragmatic

A 2026 study found that when women and men use AI tools to create identical resumes, evaluators view the women as less competent, while crediting the men with initiative.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Ghost Job Ads Are Latest Employer Tactic Targeted By State Lawmakers

State lawmakers are considering new laws to crack down on employers' increasing use of deceptive ghost job ads, which are postings for positions that do not exist.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Former Officials Denounce EEOC Plan To Halt Workforce Data Collection

The EEOC wants to end employers' obligation to report workforce data on sex, race and ethnicity. Former officials say the plan jeopardizes equal employment opportunities.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

What prompts male-dominated leadership teams to invite women to join their ranks? New study finds that men prefer adding women leaders who support the gender status quo. Experts share 3 strategies for disrupting this harmful gender bias. @usfca-pr.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Men Prefer Women Leaders Who Support The Status Quo, New Study Reveals

A 2026 study finds that men on male-dominated leadership teams prefer to add women leaders who support the status quo over women who express support for gender equality.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Tariffs have helped fuel skyrocketing costs of menstrual products, up nearly 40% since 2020. The economic burden on working women is compounded in 18 states that still treat period products as "luxury" goods subject to 4%-7% sales tax. It's time for employers to act. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Soaring Cost Of Menstrual Products Is Unfairly Burdening Working Women

Tariffs are fueling surging costs of menstrual products, which have risen nearly 40% since 2020, creating an economic barrier to women's full workplace participation.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Could DEI principles be explicitly built into the training of AI systems to design an inclusive AI hiring tool that would reduce rather than mimic human bias? A new study offers promising results. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

How ‘Inclusive AI’ Design Can Combat Hiring Bias And Reduce Legal Risk

A 2026 study designed an "inclusive AI" hiring tool that was trained on DEI principles to effectively reduce the replication of human bias in standard AI hiring tools.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

New survey data finds that HR professionals are being sidelined from AI strategy development in the workplace, resulting in less efficient and less equitable AI initiatives that face greater employee resistance. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Why HR Professionals Should Be Involved In AI Strategy Development

A 2026 study finds that most HR professionals are sidelined from AI strategy development, which reduces the efficiency, equity and acceptance of workplace AI initiatives.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Numerous studies have found that men tend to dominate workplace meetings, talking earlier, longer, and more often than women. So what happens when an AI notetaker is present? The gender airtime imbalance disappears. @readai.bsky.social @usfca-pr.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

AI Notetakers Change How Much Women Versus Men Talk In Meetings

A 2026 study finds that using AI notetakers equalizes men's and women's speaking time in workplace meetings, which improves collaboration and decision making quality.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Workplace Harassment Remains Prevalent As EEOC Rescinds Guidance

A 2026 report finds workplace harassment remains prevalent and is often unreported. But the EEOC has hindered employer compliance by rescinding its harassment guidance.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Catalyst released new national survey data today revealing why women are leaving the U.S. labor force at record pace. Not surprisingly, it's not a lack of ambition. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Women Exiting Workforce At Record Pace, New Catalyst Data Reveals Why

Women exited the U.S. labor force at a record pace in 2025. A national survey by Catalyst reveals caregiving pressures as the main driver for women leaving the workplace.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

A new study finds that U.S. companies with at least 2 women executives have significantly better workplace safety records, in part because their employees have less excessive workloads. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Companies With Women Executives Have Better Workplace Safety Records

A new study finds that U.S. companies with at least two women executives have significantly better workplace safety records, in part due to lower employee workloads.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

State legislators are stepping into the employment law void created by Congressional inactivity on issues ranging from AI to menopause. In some areas, states are moving in opposite directions, creating a growing divide in employee rights. @usfca-pr.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

5 State Employment Law Trends To Watch In 2026

State laws regulating the workplace are proliferating in the face of congressional inactivity, creating a complex employment law environment for multi-state employers.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

New research finds that Google images inaccurately depict women as younger than men across all occupations. And this age-related gender bias is getting baked into AI Algorithms: ChatGPT shows the same age-related gender bias when generating and evaluating resumes. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Google Images And AI Tools Fuel Age-Based Gender Bias In The Workplace

A 2025 study finds that Google images depict women as younger than men across all occupations, and ChatGPT amplifies this age-related gender bias when evaluating resumes.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

New data out of UCLA Anderson School of Management has recognized 7 of the largest 500 U.S. companies for achieving Gold Standard status for meeting six best practices to support working parents. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

7 Large Companies Earn Gold Standard As Best Workplaces For Parents

Seven of the 500 largest U.S. companies earned 2025 Gold Standard status as a parent-friendly workplace by meeting six best practices to support working parents.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Meta just announced that it will start evaluating employees' AI use in its 2026 performance reviews. This poses hidden risks to women, as new research finds that women who use AI are viewed as less competent than men who use AI and produce identical work product. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Meta’s Plan To Evaluate Employees’ AI Use May Negatively Impact Women

Meta's plan to evaluate employees' AI use in 2026 may pose gender bias concerns. New research finds that women who use AI are viewed as less competent than male AI users.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

#paidleave www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Which Large U.S. Companies Scored Best On Paid Parental Leave In 2025?

New data reveals key trends on paid leave policies among the 500 largest U.S. companies and highlights ten companies that scored highest on paid parental leave in 2025.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Best New 2026 Books On Workplace Inclusion And The Future Of DEI

Companies face a challenging environment for diversity, equity and inclusion. Experts offer four new books in 2026 to help leaders effectively navigate the future of DEI.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Rhode Island is the first state to enact a (bipartisan!) law prohibiting menopause discrimination in the workplace and requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for menopause symptoms. Other states are racing to catch up. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Rhode Island Law Fueling Trend To Protect Menopause In The Workplace

Rhode Island's new law banning menopause discrimination and requiring reasonable workplace accommodations for menopause symptoms may fuel progress on other states' laws.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

New data from @momsfirst.bsky.social & @paidleaveforall.bsky.social finds major increase in number of men taking paternity leave to care for new children in states with mandatory leave leaves, but more work is needed to achieve gender parity. @usfca-pr.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

More Men Taking Paternity Leave, Study Reveals Impact Of State Laws

New data finds that men are taking paternity leave at high rates in states with mandatory paid family leave laws, but some gender gaps remain in paid leave use patterns.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Domestic abuse costs U.S. businesses $3-5 billion annually from lost productivity, health care expenses, and workplace violence. Experts identify employer best practices on employee domestic abuse. (Spoiler alert: one tip involves redesigning your 401(k) plan.) www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

3 Ways Companies Can Support Employees Facing Domestic Violence

Experts identify best practices for businesses to support employees facing domestic violence, which will reduce costs from lost productivity, turnover, and health care.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

The majority of employees support DEI across gender, age, race and ethnicity lines, based on 2025 survey data. Corporate action on DEI is also impacting employees' career decision making, revealing the talent acquisition risk from DEI retreat. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Most Employees Support DEI, Revealing Talent Risk From DEI Retreat

A 2025 survey finds employee support for diversity, equity and inclusion across age, gender, race and ethnicity lines, revealing risks of talent loss from DEI retreat.

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Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

A new study finds that when women and men both use AI to produce identical work product, the women are viewed as less competent than the men. Add this to list of ways that women face a "competence penalty" at work - and learn three strategies for disrupting this bias. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Women Who Use AI At Work Face A Predictable ‘Competence Penalty’

Women who use AI are seen as less competent than men who use AI, even when producing identical work. This reflects a common gender bias known as the "competence penalty."

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Legal experts cut through the political rhetoric to remind business leaders about what the law actually requires and permits when it comes to DEI. @usfca-pr.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

3 Resources To Help Companies Design And Defend Legal DEI Programs

Most business leaders still view diversity, equity and inclusion as a business necessity. Legal experts offer advice for designing and defending lawful DEI initiatives.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Since Dobbs, more companies' health benefits plans cover abortion care and abortion-related travel expenses. But most firms are making a crucial mistake: not safeguarding the private reproductive health data from their employees' benefits use. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

The Mistake Most Companies Make When Offering Abortion Care Benefits

While more companies are offering coverage for abortion care and travel, most are creating legal risks by failing to protect employees' private reproductive health data.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Need some good news in your feed? Cheers to 3 small companies that are working hard to invest in paid leave, despite the lack of public policies to support their efforts. Learn about key trends in paid leave among small and mid-sized firms in my latest Forbes article. www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

3 Small Companies Recognized For Paid Leave Innovation In 2025 Index

The 2025 Leading on Leave Index highlights top small companies on paid leave, while revealing the need for public policies to close the gap between small and large firms.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

DEI critics are hailing the Supreme Court's ruling in Ames v. Ohio Dep't of Youth Servs as the final nail in the corporate DEI coffin. But legal experts say that's more rhetoric than reality: standard DEI programs are still legal under Title VII. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Supreme Court Didn’t Make DEI Illegal In Ames Ruling, Lawyers Explain

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Ames eliminated an initial hurdle for Title VII reverse discrimination claims in some states, but lawyers say that DEI remains legal.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Employee demand for paid leave is higher than ever. Which companies are responding? The National Partnership for Women & Families released its 2025 Leading on Leave Report today, recognizing company leaders and highlighting paid leave trends. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

4 Large Companies Top List For Best Paid Leave Policies In 2025 Index

Leading on Leave Report highlights paid leave trends among large companies, including expanding eligibility, easing barriers to use, and covering wider caregiving needs.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

New data reveals that investment in corporate social responsibility programs continues to thrive, while adapting strategically to external demands. Learn about the current trends in CSR in my latest Forbes article. @usfca-pr.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/michel...

Corporate Social Responsibility Is Adapting, Survey Reveals Key Trends

Despite external pressures against corporate social responsibility, companies are still investing in CSR, while strategically adapting their focus and communications.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

The majority of employed adults in the U.S. believe that companies should speak out in support of reproductive rights and that companies should work with lawmakers to protect access to reproductive health care. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Workers Want Companies To Keep Fighting For Reproductive Rights

More than half of employed adults in the U.S. say companies should publicly support reproductive rights. Companies that stay silent may face a competitive disadvantage.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Today's marks two years since the PUMP Act gave employees the power to sue employers that violate their federal right to safe and protected lactation in the workplace. So how are employers doing? New research finds there's still work to be done. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

The PUMP Act Turns Two, But Most Employers Still Aren’t In Compliance

Most employers are still not complying with the federal PUMP Act, which requires them to provide employees a private room and break time to express breast milk at work.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Need more evidence that reproductive rights are a business issue? www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Companies Face Increasing Talent Shortage In States With Abortion Bans

States with abortion bans create talent shortages by driving away young, educated workers. This link reveals another reason why reproductive rights are a business issue.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

It took a Netflix docuseries on kidfluencers to make me notice a disturbing trend: many states are rolling back child labor laws (while child labor violations are on the rise). Learn what's fueling the deregulation of child labor in the U.S. in my latest Forbes article. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Netflix Doc Reveals Risks To Kid Stars, As States Gut Child Labor Laws

The Netflix docuseries, "Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencers," highlights the inadequacies of U.S. child labor laws, while many states are weakening protections.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Ten former EEOC officials set the record straight on the legality of employers' diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in an April 3, 2025 Statement. www.forbes.com/sites/michel... @usfca-pr.bsky.social

10 Experts Say New EEOC Guidance Misleads Employers About Lawful DEI

Ten former EEOC officials set the record straight on the legality of employers’ diversity, equity and inclusion practices, in a statement defending DEI on April 3, 2025.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Seven former EEOC officials sent a letter to the EEOC's Acting Chair Lucas rebuking her anti-DEI targeting of law firms as illegal. The letter isn't just an exercise in courage: it's a legal blueprint for employers who refuse to comply with the EEOC's unlawful anti-DEI tactics. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

7 Experts Rebuke EEOC For Unlawful Anti-DEI Targeting Of Employers

Seven former officials of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission have challenged the legality of the Acting Chair's unprecedented anti-DEI targeting of 20 firms.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Legal experts remind business leaders that despite the Administration's anti-trans agenda, the law has not changed: It is still unlawful for most employers to discriminate against transgender employees because of their gender identity. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

Gender Identity Discrimination Still Illegal, Lawyers Remind Employers

Executive orders can't change federal or state laws governing private sector employers, and companies can still get sued if they discriminate against transgender employees.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Women’s higher rates of burnout are often attributed to women’s disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. But women’s double shift is only part of the picture. New research finds that 3 forms of gender bias in the workplace may also contribute to women's job burnout. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

3 Ways That Gender Bias Fuels Employee Burnout In Women

Women have higher rates of job burnout, partly due to juggling greater caregiving duties. But new research shows that gender bias in the workplace also plays a key role.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

If you're monitoring the legality of corporate DEI programs, pay attention to the S.Ct's oral arguments in Ames v. Ohio Dep't of Youth Servs. this Wed., Feb. 26th. DEI critics are eyeing the case as fuel to use reverse discrimination claims to target corporate DEI initiatives. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

The Supreme Court Case That Will Fuel The Corporate DEI Debate In 2025

In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, a reverse discrimination case could fuel challenges to corporate DEI initiatives.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

In a 2024 survey, 41% of women said they'd experienced sex discrimination during job interviews. But what about the gender bias that prevents many women from even getting an interview? A new study reveals a effective practice for reducing gender bias in the hiring process. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

How To Reduce Hiring Bias Against Women? Study Finds Key Role For HR

A new study reveals an effective way to reduce gender bias in hiring: shift initial application review and shortlisting duties from hiring managers to the HR department.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

More workers are caring for aging parents during the peak of their own careers. But women are facing bigger career penalties from providing eldercare than men. While extensive research documents a "motherhood penalty," new evidence is revealing that women face a "daughterhood penalty" as well.

Combating Hidden Career Penalties Against Women Who Provide Eldercare

Women who provide eldercare face larger career penalties than men. This "daughterhood penalty," on top of a "motherhood penalty," jeopardizes women's financial security.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Just a timely reminder from legal experts that well-designed DEI programs at private sector companies are still legal (despite reports of their demise).

The Supreme Court Case That Will Fuel The Corporate DEI Debate In 2025

In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, a reverse discrimination case could fuel challenges to corporate DEI initiatives.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

More U.S. workers than ever before are caring for aging parents during the peak of their own careers. Learn about the business case for providing eldercare benefits, and how employers should respond to this accelerating trend, in my latest Forbes article. @usfca-pr.bsky.social @wellthyrx.bsky.social

More Workers Are Caring For Aging Parents. Why Should Employers Care?

More workers are caring for aging parents during the peak of their own careers. Employers will face a competitive disadvantage if they don't invest in eldercare support.

Michelle Travis (she/her) @michelletravis.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

This term, #SCOTUS will decide Ames v. Ohio Dep't of Youth Servs., to resolve the evidentiary standard in reverse discrimination claims. Ames doesn't involve a DEI initiative, but it will still fuel attacks on corporate #DEI. My latest Forbes article explains what's at stake. @usfca-pr.bsky.social

The Supreme Court Case That Will Fuel The Corporate DEI Debate In 2025

In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, a reverse discrimination case could fuel challenges to corporate DEI initiatives.