Protecting Employers Since 1985

Employers’ Next Problem – Ebola?

By Walter J. Liszka / October 1, 2014

With the recent problems that have arisen because of the Ebola virus’s extension to the United States and Spain (the death of Thomas Eric Duncan in Dallas and Madrid hospital issues), all employers may face a serious crisis in the future. With the first cases of Ebola transmitted outside the Western African countries of Liberia, Guinea,…

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Union Membership Statistics

By Walter J. Liszka / September 30, 2014

There is a very old adage that “numbers can’t lie, but liars can figure” and that adage may be applicable to the most recent statistics issued by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics with regard to union membership. Those “union statistics” indicate that the union membership rate – the percentage of wage and salary…

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Illinois Pregnancy Protections Expanded

By Walter J. Liszka / September 25, 2014

On August 26, 2014, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law House Bill 8 (HB8) that amends the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) by placing “new obligations on employers” with regard to their pregnant employees. While the law will not take effect until January 1, 2015, employers should be cognizant of the new obligations imposed…

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Domestic Violence and Child Abuse – A Problem for All of Us

By Walter J. Liszka / September 15, 2014

Certainly the last few weeks have not been very pleasant for the National Football League/Roger Goodell and for the Federal Judiciary. The NFL has had to deal with domestic violence/child abuse involving its stars (Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, Jonathan Dwyer, and, thanks to Gloria Allred, Brandon Marshall from a 2007 incident) and the Federal Judiciary…

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Bye-Bye Franchisee

By Walter J. Liszka / August 25, 2014

The first “nail in the coffin” in doing away with the franchiser/franchisee relationship and jeopardizing a vast number of small business operators in this country (estimated at a little over 85% in the restaurant industry), has been “nailed” by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel. Robert F. Griffin, Jr., who was sworn in…

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Here Comes the EEOC!

By Walter J. Liszka / August 17, 2014

As most private employers are well aware, numerous federal and state government agencies conduct on-site investigations and have been doing so for a long period of time [for example, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA inspectors) and United States Department of Labor (USDOL inspectors)]. Soon to be joining this array of “government visitors” is the…

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Child Support Payments – A Potentially Bedeviling Problem for Illinois Employers

By Walter J. Liszka / July 31, 2014

Employers in the State of Illinois must become more aware of their obligations arising under the Income Withholding for Support Act (750 ILCS 28/1 et seq.). This Act provides the authority for a court of law to designate that periodic payments of funds for the support of a child or a maintenance of the spouse…

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Avoid Paying Excessive Plaintiff Legal Fees

By Walter J. Liszka / July 20, 2014

Over the last five (5) years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of lawsuits filed alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in an attempt to procure back wages and liquidated damages for affected employees. A vast number of these lawsuits have turned into large class action litigations. Any employer…

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Payment Cards as Wage Payment (?)

By Walter J. Liszka / June 26, 2014

The brilliant Illinois legislature has recently recognized payroll cards as an approved method of wage payment in the State of Illinois. This measure has passed the House (House Bill 5622) after receiving prior approval from the Senate and now awaits Governor Pat Quinn’s signature. The author believes that this group is the reincarnation of Nero…

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Courts Bend the “Golden Rule”

By Walter J. Liszka / June 5, 2014

Since I was a child back in the early 1950s, I was taught many things by my parents, including “treat others as you want to be treated” and “do not steal or take other people’s property.” Obviously, the Federal Court System and, specifically, U.S. District Court Judge William H. Orrick, have either never been taught…

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