Protecting Employers Since 1985

Employee Handbook Review – Make Sure Yours is Up to Date

By John Simmons / October 28, 2023

As you should be aware, there has been a rush of legislative and administrative changes throwing old employment practices into disarray; changing precedent, instituting new standards for classic employment benefits and rights, and redefining the responsibilities and duties of employers to their employees. We have seen this arrive on the federal and state level, so…

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Reasonable Accommodation and Commuting to Work

By Alan E. Seneczko / October 26, 2023

Employers recognize that they have a duty to reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities that substantially limit their ability to perform the essential functions of their job. But what about disabilities that limit their ability to get to work? Does the duty to accommodate extend to the commute? The Seventh Circuit recently tackled this issue and…

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All Employers Should Read This

By Richard H. Wessels / October 25, 2023

The NLRB has re-written the rules for union organizing with many trip wires for employers. We have been alerting our clients about the extraordinarily pro-union NLRB decision in Cemex. This decision revamps completely the process for a union to be recognized. The old procedure called for the union to demand recognition and the employer could…

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NLRB Is Now Getting Serious With Its Anti-Business Agenda

By Richard H. Wessels / September 29, 2023

Here’s the story of the NLRB’s pursuit of the two owners of a Muskego, WI spa. In 2021, the NLRB found that Haven Salon + Spa violated the NLRA when it discharged an employee for raising concerns about the adequacy of the company’s COVID-19 safety protocols during the height of the pandemic. In raising those…

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Attention Illinois Employers: New Law Affects Businesses Using Temporary Workers in Illinois

By Anthony J. Caruso Jr. / September 27, 2023

Background: On August 4, 2023, House Bill 2862 was signed by Governor Pritzker. This legislation amends the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act to expand the pay and benefit rights of the temporary workers as well as increased safety oversight by both the agencies and the third-party business that use such workers. Effective: July…

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Cemex Decision and the New Rules for Union Organizing

By Richard H. Wessels / September 21, 2023

In our September Client Alert, we wrote about the extraordinarily pro-union NLRB decision in Cemex. Here are links to NLRB press release and the decision itself. This decision revamps completely the process for a union to be recognized. The old procedure called for the union to demand recognition and the employer could tell the union…

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The Benefits Of Conducting A Self-Audit On Your Company

By Joseph H. Laverty / September 16, 2023

Employment law issues run the complete range from discrimination and harassment to unsafe conditions – but one thing remains the same: If you as the employer are violating a law you could be opening your company and yourself to liability. Below are common employment laws to conduct an audit on. Common Employment Law Issues Common…

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Seventh Circuit Reverses Course In The Case Of A Teacher Fired For Objecting, Based On His Christian Faith, To Using Transexual Student’s Preferred Pronoun

By James B. Sherman / August 31, 2023

Our readers may recall my June 30 E-Alert covering several significant Supreme Court decisions issued that day, including the ruling in Groff v. DeJoy.  In Groff, the Court “clarified” (a better term might be “increased”) the burdens employers are required to endure before they may lawfully refuse a request for religious accommodations based on “undue…

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Cemex NLRB Decision Will Make Union Organizing Much Easier

By Richard H. Wessels / August 30, 2023

On August 25, 2023, the NLRB gave a major victory to unions and allows unions to represent employees without a formal vote. The decision is Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC. The new procedure requires employers to recognize a union when the union demands recognition based on a claimed majority showing support. The union does not…

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Attention Employers: New Federal Law Protecting Pregnant Workers

By Anthony J. Caruso Jr. / August 29, 2023

On June 27, 2023, the new federal law, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect.  Who is covered under the new law? Private and public sector employers with at least 15 employees, Congress, Federal agencies, employment agencies, and labor organizations. Note: employees and job applicants are covered by this law. What does the law…

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