In late March, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit revived a lawsuit brought against Home Depot by the mother of a pregnant employee who was killed by her supervisor at a non-work event. Reversing the district court’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit as not stating a viable claim under Illinois law, the
Circuit split results from decision that Title VII prohibits sexual orientation discrimination
In a landmark decision released April 4, 2017, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Title VII protection extends to sexual orientation. The Seventh Circuit has become the first appeals court to rule in such a manner, directly contradicting the recent decisions of the Eleventh and Second Circuits.
The circuit split created by this
Potential circuit split highlights question over Title VII and sexual orientation discrimination
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals created a likely split in federal courts of appeals this week when it upheld a district court’s dismissal of a complaint alleging harassment on the basis of sexual orientation.
The 11th Circuit’s decision in Jameka Evans v. Georgia Regional Hospital rested on the ground that discrimination on
Missouri Supreme Court affirms St. Louis minimum wage increase
The Missouri Supreme Court on Feb. 28, 2017, upheld St. Louis’ minimum wage ordinance, over the arguments of business groups who claimed the ordinance was preempted by Missouri state law. The decision means the minimum wage in St. Louis will increase to $10 per hour this year and $11 in 2018.
In a decision by
Employee restroom access: What employers should know
With a new year and a new presidential administration, the restroom access debate is a hot topic again.
On Feb. 22, 2017, the Trump administration withdrew the Obama-era directive to public schools that instructed schools to permit transgender students access to restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their expressed gender identity or risk violating
St. Louis prohibits discrimination based on employees’ ‘reproductive health decisions’
A St. Louis city ordinance took effect Feb. 13 protecting employees against discrimination on the basis of their “reproductive health decisions.” Ordinance 70459 prohibits employers from taking any adverse employment action — such as termination or demotion — against an employee due to the employee’s decision to use drugs, devices or medical services related to
Missouri governor signs right-to-work bill: Will a national law follow?
Missouri has become the 28th state to enact right-to-work legislation banning mandatory union dues. Gov. Eric Greitens signed the bill into law on Feb. 6, 2017, and it will take effect on Aug. 28, 2017.
What does this mean for unionized employers? The law’s grandfather clause offers protection for existing labor contracts negotiated prior
Missouri joins fight against DOL overtime rule
Last week, 60 business groups and four states joined the fight against the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule by filing amicus briefs in the Fifth Circuit asking the court to uphold the district court’s injunction blocking the rule from taking effect.
Leading the way for the states was Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, whose
New laws Missouri and Illinois businesses should know about in 2017
The Missouri and Illinois legislatures were quite active in 2016 in creating laws affecting employers, and they have been just as busy in the first few weeks of 2017. Below is a summary of employment law developments that may affect your business in those states in the coming year.
Missouri employment laws
“Permitless” concealed carry
From overtime pay to restroom access: How a busy 2016 may affect employers in 2017
2016 was a busy year for employment law developments on a national level, and 2017 promises to follow suit. To help employers navigate the changes, here is a summary of major developments that may affect your business this year.
Wage and Hour
Overtime exemption rule: After much anticipation, the Department of Labor (DOL) on May