September 7, 2021 | Client Alert
On August 20, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois House Bill 3582 amending the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (“VESSA”) to provide broader protection to employees seeking job-protected leave under VESSA. The amendments are effective January 1, 2022.Tax Credits Are Available For Complications That May Result From Vaccines
August 16, 2021 | Client Alert
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) permits employers to claim tax credits if they provide employees paid sick and family leave related to Covid-19. Both the leave and the tax credits are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2021.Fertility Benefits Can Provide a Competitive Advantage for Illinois Employers.
August 12, 2021 | Client Alert
The U.S. is facing a labor shortage and so is Illinois. A July 2021 NFIB survey of small business owners reports 49% of business owners have unfilled job openings, far in excess of the 22% historical average for the last 48 years. Employers are struggling to fill a record 8.1 million job openings.Finally, Some Good News for Illinois Employers When Defending BIPA Suits.
August 2, 2021 | Client Alert
Illinois employers are subject to the strictest biometric privacy law in the country. Since its passage in 2008, the Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) regulates private employer use of employee biometric information.There Must be Real “Harm” Before One Can Sue Under FCRA: Good News for Employers Who Perform Background Checks
July 8, 2021 | Client Alert
The United States Supreme Court recently held there must be a “concrete” harm before one can sue under the Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA.Illinois Employers Have Bigger Concerns than HIPAA
June 30, 2021 | Client Alert
Many of our clients are irrationally fearful of HIPAA. This fear is exacerbated by the fact that some employers collect medical information related to COVID along with vaccination information. Make no mistake, HIPAA compliance is important.Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants Narrows Further in Illinois
June 10, 2021 | Client Alert
Since 2017, Illinois has prohibited employers from imposing non-compete restrictions on “low-wage” employees who earn less than $13.00 per hour. Governor Pritzker is now expected to sign a bill (SB 672), which will further limit the ability of employers to enforce restrictive covenants.OSHA Flip Flops on Adverse Reactions to COVID Vaccine
June 2, 2021 | Client Alert
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) reversed its position on recording employees’ adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine. This reversal is one of many for OSHA throughout the pandemic.How to Get the COBRA Tax Credits Your Business is Entitled To
May 26, 2021 | Client Alert
We have written a lot about the COBRA Subsidy that is in place from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021. We want all our clients to obtain the tax credits they are entitled to. Here is how to do that.OSHA’S Disappointing Reversal on Recording COVID-19 Infections as Workplace Injuries
May 21, 2021 | Client Alert
OSHA’s revised enforcement guidance issued to its Compliance Safety and Health Officers is a 180 degree turnabout from the guidance issued on April 10. OSHA justifies its policy reversal based on three sets of facts: incidence, adaptation, and the return of the workforce. Whether OSHA’s rationale for changing its position is compelling is besides the point. Employers must comply with OSHA’s new directive.