Author Archives: mboxerman

Employers: Keep Your Hands Off Of Employee Fingerprints

A once little-known law, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”), is now the subject of class actions by employees alleging that employers have misused their biometric information.  This client update should help employers avoid unknowing violations of the BIPA … Continue reading

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Cook County “Earned Sick Leave” Ordinance Effective July 2017

The Cook County Board of Commissioners recently passed the Earned Sick Leave Ordinance, requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees.  The Ordinance goes into effect July 1, 2017. To be eligible for paid sick leave, an employee … Continue reading

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New Illinois Law Renders Non-Compete Agreements for Low-Wage Employees “Illegal and Void”

On August 19, 2016, Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (the “Act”).  The Act prohibits certain Illinois employers from entering into non-compete agreements with low-wage employees.  The law takes effect January 1, 2017. The … Continue reading

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Restaurant Owners: Are You Taking Advantage of All Tax Credits and Deductions?

Restaurant owners can take advantage of many special deductions and credits providing substantial tax savings. Here are several to explore: Tax Credits for Hiring in Empowerment Zones.  Tax credits are available for hiring employees who live and work in an … Continue reading

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Seventh Circuit: Class and Collective Action Waivers in Employment Arbitration Agreements Unenforceable

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that provisions in employment agreements requiring individual arbitration of wage and hour disputes are unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). The court found that such provisions violate employees’ right to … Continue reading

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Illinois and Chicago Employment Law Update: Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave and Employee Retirement Accounts

Three important employment law changes in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois may affect your business. Chicago Minimum Wage Ordinance On July 1, 2016, the City of Chicago’s minimum wage increased by 50 cents per hour, to … Continue reading

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Defend Trade Secrets Act Creates Federal Jurisdiction Over Misappropriation Claims

Congress recently passed the Defend Trade Secrets Act (“DTSA”), vesting federal courts with the power to hear trade secret theft disputes and act immediately to resolve them. The DTSA took effect May 12, 2016, and further empowers American innovators to … Continue reading

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New Federal Overtime Rule Takes Effect December 1, 2016

The U.S. Department of Labor recently finalized a rule (the “Final Rule”) to update the federal white collar overtime exemptions.  The Final Rule, which takes effect on December 1, 2016, doubles the salary threshold—from $23,660 to $47,476 per year, or … Continue reading

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Update: Avoiding The Franchisor Joint Employer Trap

It’s an unsettling time for franchisors.  The NLRB’s new “indirect control” standard for finding a joint employer relationship (discussed here) is ambiguous and leaves many franchisors confused about how to protect their brand without becoming a joint employer with their … Continue reading

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Your Managers May Not Be Exempt Under the DOL’s Proposed Overtime Rules

Business owners and franchisees, you might need to start paying your managers overtime.  The Department of Labor (DOL) is updating the overtime rules for the so-called “white collar” exemption that excludes certain executive, administrative, and professional employees from the FLSA … Continue reading

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