We are finally moving past the plethora of pandemic-era employment laws that riddled this blog over the past two years. However, not all will be quiet in 2023, as the breadth of pending U.S. Supreme Court cases and issues agencies are reviewing is wide and has the potential to disrupt several industries. This recap and
How to Address and Remedy Quiet Quitting in the Workplace
Greensfelder Officer Scott Cruz authored an article on the “quiet quitting” phenomenon that has been permeating workplaces nationwide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article, titled “How to Address and Remedy Quiet Quitting in the Workplace,” was published in the fourth-quarter edition of The Illinois Manufacturer.
As noted in the article, “quiet quitting”
EEOC updates workplace poster on employee rights
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a new poster titled “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” that all covered employers are required to display in the workplace.
This updates and replaces the EEOC’s previous “Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law” poster. Covered organizations include most private employers, state and local government
Illinois Requires Certain Employers to Expand Unpaid Bereavement Leave
Amendments Cover Pregnancy or Adoption-Related Losses, Deaths of Additional Family Members
On June 9, 2022, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law amendments to the Child Bereavement Leave Act, which take effect January 1, 2023. Among other notable changes, the amendments change the name of the Child Bereavement Leave Act to the Family Bereavement
Chicago Adopts New Anti-Sexual Harassment Training and Other Obligations for Employers
The Chicago City Council recently adopted an ordinance amending the city’s anti-sexual harassment laws. This, among other things, revises the definition of sexual harassment to include sexual misconduct; requires Chicago employers to establish, post and distribute to employees a written anti-sexual harassment policy and display a poster advising employees of the prohibition of sexual harassment
New EEOC Guidance Requires Employers to Monitor for Disability Bias in Artificial Intelligence Hiring Tools
New EEOC guidance advises employers to ensure that any hiring tools based on algorithms or artificial intelligence (AI) do not negatively impact applicants with disabilities. This obligation includes offering reasonable accommodations to applicants in hiring practices that incorporate AI or algorithmic decision-making.
Many employers use AI-based hiring tools such as “chatbots,” scanners that evaluate resumes
Illinois Employers May Be Subject to New Equal Pay Act Reporting and Certification Obligations
A strong push continues for states to adopt stricter pay equity laws and enforce efforts to combat pay inequities for certain protected classes, including women and individuals of color. Many states, including Illinois, have prioritized pay equity by passing laws designed to reduce wage gaps.
The Illinois Equal Pay Act (“IEPA”) was amended in 2021
Employers Beware: New Law Prohibits Mandatory Arbitration for Certain Claims
President Biden signed into law the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021” on March 3. As its name suggests, the law prohibits pre-dispute arbitration agreements that require individuals to arbitrate any claim under federal, tribal or state law relating to a sexual assault or sexual harassment dispute. In other
Supreme Court Blocks COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Private Employers but Allows It for Medicare and Medicaid Funded Health Care Facilities
On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two decisions addressing COVID-19 vaccine mandates implemented by the Biden Administration. In the first opinion (National Federation of Independent Business v. OSHA), by a 6-3 majority, the Supreme Court blocked implementation of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that would have required all employers with
Employment Law 2021 Recap and 2022 Forecast for Missouri and Illinois
Missouri
Other than a new state minimum wage ($11.15 per hour), 2022 is starting off quietly in Missouri. However, last year brought two major developments affecting employers that are summarized below. The COVID-19 Liability Shield is exactly as it sounds, providing protections for employers against suits by individuals who claim they were exposed to COVID-19.