Last month the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) to eliminate discrimination and promote women’s health and economic security by ensuring reasonable accommodations to workers limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the PWFA would supplement the accommodation… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Sexual Orientation Discrimination
In a 6-3 decision the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an employer who terminates an employee, or otherwise discriminates against them because they are gay or transgender, is violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees from discrimination on the basis of sex as well as race, color, religion and national origin.… Read More »
Returning to Work During Covid 19 – What Are My Rights?
With many states reopening, many employees may be nervous about returning to work. If you feel that your boss is calling you back too soon, is there anything you can do? Many Americans were furloughed or worked from home during the early weeks of the pandemic and are fearful of returning to the workplace as… Read More »
When Workers Return Will Companies Liable for Covid-19?
Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to provide a safe workplace, free from serious hazards, complying with standards rules and regulations issued under the OSH Act. As pressure mounts to reopen the economy, employers are feeling the heat to protect their employees from the known hazards of Covid-19. In a recent… Read More »
Employee Paid Leave Rights under Covid 19
To ensure workers do not have to choose between their paychecks and public health measures, the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), reimburses private employers with fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for the cost of providing… Read More »
#MeToo Movement Impacting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
According to a recent survey, over 75% of employees asked said that the #MeToo Movement has positively impacted how sexual harassment claims are handled in the workplace. Many claim the social movement to raise awareness regarding sex discrimination, specifically sexual harassment, has made a difference on the job. Many Human Resources departments across the country… Read More »
SCOTUS to Decide Whether Sexual Orientation Discrimination Prohibited Under Law
Last month the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether existing federal law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Although 22 states including Iowa have laws that forbid sexual orientation discrimination on the job, federal law does not offer the same protection. The Court is being asked to decide, once and… Read More »
Employment Discrimination in Targeted Social Media Job Ads
Employment discrimination in the digital age is on the rise with some companies engaging in discriminatory practices in advertising of job opportunities by targeting job adverting to a limited online audience. In fact, a group of recent EEOC rulings found reasonable cause to conclude that more than a handful of employers have used social media… Read More »
Fired After Seeking Drug or Alcohol Treatment
Many employees avoid seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addiction because they are afraid of losing their jobs or that they will be subject to other adverse employment actions. However, it is important to understand that your choice to get help is protected by various laws and acts that provide a measure of job security… Read More »
Marijuana Impairment at Work in the Age of Legalization
With Illinois set to legalize recreational marijuana use January 1, 2020, a whole host of worker safety issues and potential workers’ compensation claims come into play as do potential employment law issues as employers grapple with how to handle potentially impaired employees and what consequences will follow – all within the framework of Illinois and… Read More »