Protecting Employers Since 1985

Refresher For Employers On Required Accommodations To Allow Employees Time Off Work To Vote

By James B. Sherman / October 11, 2024

As the 2024 election approaches, on Tuesday, November 5th, Wessels Sherman offices in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin have been fielding questions about employee voting rights. Because this is governed by state law and each state’s laws differ it can be confusing, particularly for employers with employees in more than one state.  This refresher will…

Read More

Three New Year’s Resolutions For Employers In 2024

By James B. Sherman / January 2, 2024

The beginning of a new year is a time of reflection and resolve for positive change. Resolutions for self-improvement on health, relationships, and other personal goals abound. Some will fail to materialize. Many will be short-lived. However, in the business world changes are often imposed by law and cannot so easily be ignored. Here are…

Read More

AI in the Human Resources Arena

By Joseph H. Laverty / August 26, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming human resources departments. While the benefits of AI include increased efficiency and cost benefits, the dangers are bias and discrimination. As a result, regulators are rapidly enacting laws to govern the use of AI in employment decisions, presenting a challenge for employers to keep up with legislation and remain compliant.…

Read More

No Shortage Of Controversy When It Comes To First Amendment Free Speech

By James B. Sherman / July 7, 2023

The Supreme Court’s recent decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis has caused quite a stir. Boiled down to its simplest form, the Court essentially ruled that a Colorado web designer could not be forced to “speak” by creating a webpage about a subject the owner found objectionable. Had the designer refused to design a…

Read More

News from the Iowa Legislature

By Joseph H. Laverty / July 6, 2023

New Iowa child labor laws A new law has just taken effect in Iowa relating to child labor laws. The new law allows kids ages 14 and 15 to be able to work until 11:00 PM during the summer. That’s two hours longer than previously allowed. They’ll be able to work until 9:00 PM during…

Read More

Wessels Sherman Unlimited Phone Consultation Program

By Richard H. Wessels / May 6, 2023

Wessels Sherman was founded by me in 1985. Simultaneously with the founding of the firm, the Phone Program came in on day one. We have hundreds of phone clients; some have been in it for 38 years. The Phone Program started at $50 a month. There has been only one increase, to $75 per month.…

Read More

What The Dobbs Decision Means for Employers in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa

By James B. Sherman / June 28, 2022

Last week the United States Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated and controversial decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, overturning Roe v. Wade. Whereas Roe had held for nearly 50 years that the right to an abortion was guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution, Dobbs disagreed, giving the issue back to the states to…

Read More

Biometric Information Privacy Act-Getting Stranger And Stranger

By Richard H. Wessels / May 9, 2019

By now, every Employer in the State of Illinois is aware of the Illinois Supreme Court Decision in the Rosenbach v. Six Flaggs Entertainment Corporation and the State Supreme Court interpretation that, under the context of the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act, a Plaintiff does not need to show an “actual injury” to process a claim,…

Read More

Key Changes to the Illinois Human Rights Act (Which Will Affect Employers)!

By Joseph H. Laverty / April 15, 2019

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) is the agency that administers the Illinois Human Rights Act (“IHRA”), the state law that outlaws discrimination, harassment and retaliation by most employers in Illinois. The IDHR’s federal counterpart is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), which administers the federal laws preventing the same type of violations. In…

Read More

Does Your Company Give Employees Personal Loans? Be Sure To Have Legal Wage Deduction Agreements!!

By Nancy E. Joerg / April 12, 2019

In Illinois, deductions from paychecks must be done very carefully. Illinois employers need to be aware of the tricky web of laws and regulations which often prevent the employer from simply deducting, unilaterally, from the employee’s paycheck-even when the employer is merely paying the Company back for a loan taken out by the employee. An…

Read More

COVID-19 Resources

Stay up-to-date about developments in the Midwest.

Categories

Schedule your confidential consultation

Contact Wessels Sherman if you would like to speak with one of our experienced labor and workplace attorneys, contact any of our four office locations and schedule a consultation.