√ Audit compensation classifications and policies
Texas Federal Judge Declares ACA Invalid, is Probably Wrong
Texas federal judge Reed O'Connor declared the Affordable Care Act invalid in a December 2018 decision that is notable but, ultimately, will likely have no impact on employers' obligations under the ACA. I'd be remiss if I didn't use this opportunity to engage in my new favorite hobby: educating employers about the ACA with the help of random southern phrases I found on Google.
EEOC Lawsuits Demonstrate An Aggressive Position On Employer Obligations To Reasonably Accommodate
Employers have a legal obligation to accommodate work-related conflicts posed by an employee's or applicant's disability or religious beliefs. This seems simple enough - be "reasonable." Yet as many business professionals and lawyers know all too well, there is a great deal of room for differences of opinion as to what constitutes a "reasonable accommodation." Considerable effort (and litigation) has gone into defining what is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (for religion). For its part the EEOC has routinely pushed the envelope; it expects employers to go to great lengths to satisfy their obligation to reasonably accommodate workers. Recent cases dealing with accommodations in the form of service dogs, sign-language interpreters, extended leaves of absence and adjusted work schedules, are just some of the positions taken by the EEOC in litigation (with varying degrees of success). Here are some examples:
It Is Dangerous For An Employer To Just Assume That Pregnant Employees Cannot Get The Job Done!
Employers put their companies and themselves at great legal risk (unnecessarily!) when they assume that their pregnant employees cannot do their job just because they are pregnant.
Illinois Employer Alert: Two New Posters Required in the Workplace
It is time to put up two new posters in the workplace if you are an Illinois employer.
City of Chicago - Office for Labor Standards
As of October 31, 2018, the Chicago City Council unanimously approved the formation of the Office for Labor Standards (OLS). The OLS has been created to provide more rigorous enforcement of the City of Chicago Employment Ordinances and to promote investigation into alleged violations. This Law will come into effect as of January 1, 2019.
Illinois Equal Pay Act
The Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate recently voted to override outgoing Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's veto of proposed changes to the Illinois Equal Pay Act. This means that Employers in the State of Illinois, effective January 1, 2019, will be required to comply with a new set of Pay Equity obligations.
Don't Fall Asleep On One Of The Most Important Due Dates Regarding Your IDES Audit!
I'm writing this article because of a crucial due date that a new client of mine missed (prior to becoming my client).
Reflections of a "Senior" Lawyer...
For some reason unknown to me (it can't possibly be my imminent 60th birthday), I have been receiving solicitations from the State Bar's "Senior Lawyers Division." Though I would like to think it is based on my vast experience, I have reason to believe it is more "temporal" in nature. So that got me thinking...
The Holidays Are A'Comin
Over the past few years, the author has written a "Holiday Article" to provide some guidance/legal insight into the somewhat complicated "Business Holiday Party". I have received numerous suggestions and/or recommendations (and some good natured kidding), but I am not deterred! It is never too early to begin planning for the Holiday Season of Calendar 2018!
