Category Archives: Employment

New Year, New and Amended Employment Laws

Over the past year, the Illinois General Assembly and Chicago City Council have enacted or modified several laws and ordinances that affect employers. Sifting through the specific legal language can be tricky, so we’ve summarized the most important changes that are relevant to employers. … Continue reading

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Employers: Give Your Employee Handbook A New Year’s Check-Up

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is scrutinizing employee handbooks that violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the law that protects an employees’ collective bargaining and organizing rights. The NLRB looks for workplace rules that restrict—or could be construed … Continue reading

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NLRB Reinstates Prior Joint-Employer Standard

On December 14, 2017, in a 3-2 decision, that could allay fears of franchisors being joint employers of their franchisees, the National Labor Relations Board overruled the Board’s 2015 decision in Browning-Ferris Industries, 362 NLRB No. 186 (2015) (“Browning-Ferris”), and returned to … Continue reading

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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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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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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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Limiting Employee Hours to Avoid the Affordable Care Act May Violate ERISA

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers with 50 full-time equivalent employees (those working 30+ hours per week) must offer at least minimal healthcare to employees and their dependents.  Employers, including many franchised businesses, may attempt to avoid this requirement … Continue reading

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