Category: Employment Law
FLSA’S “REGULAR RATE” WILL CHANGE SOON
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently offered hope to many employers that are seeking clarity regarding compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (“FLSA”) overtime calculation rules. The FLSA generally requires employers to pay employees overtime pay of at least one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked in excess of 40
Predictable Scheduling Law Seeks to Impose Regulations on Unpredictable Work Hours
A Chicago-based ordinance seeks to limit unpredictability in employees’ work schedules by enforcing scheduling-related regulations on larger businesses. The proposal would require employers to inform employees of their schedules at least two weeks in advance, and would require compensation for last-minute schedule changes, by providing for an hour of “predictability pay” at their regular wage
No Right-To-Work Laws by Local Governments
This April, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill that prevents local governments from enacting laws that weaken the power of labor unions, also referred to as “right-to-work” laws. The bill is known as the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act (“CBFA”), which Pritzker stated was designed to prevent right-to-work laws from cutting employee benefits, lowering wages,
Federal Overtime Regulations May Change Soon
The U.S. Department of Labor recently released its proposed changes to federal overtime regulations. The new plan would allow employees making less than $35,308 a year to be automatically eligible for overtime pay. The employee would earn one and half times their regular pay for any time worked over 40 hours per week. The Department
Do Employees Have a Right to Access Their Personnel Files in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, an employee’s right to review personnel records is governed by the Employment Labor Relations Personal Record Review Act. 820 ILCS 40/1 et. seq. To help you understand your duties as an employer, Rock, Fusco & Connelly has provided the helpful chart below: Illinois Personnel Record Review Act 820 Ill. Comp. Stat. 40/0.01-40/13
Medical Marijuana in Schools
Governor Rauner has signed legislation that permits medical marijuana to be used in Illinois schools. House Bill 4870 allows a parent or a child’s guardian to administer medical marijuana to students at school. The parent/guardian must be registered with the Department of Public Health, and the legislation does not allow school personnel to administer the
Terminated Employee Denied Bonus Moves Forward with Civil Rights Suit
A white manager who alleged he was denied a bonus because he fired a black subordinate employee had his civil rights suit greenlit last month in Illinois federal court. The manager and the employee had a tumultuous history together that included the employee previously being fired twice for missing work and failing to follow work
Paid Sick Leave a Growing Trend
Running a business is becoming more expensive and complex for owners, and part of the problem is due to the growing number of state and local laws that mandate paid sick time. Despite these complications, more and more U.S. companies are actually offering paid sick leave to employees. In 2017, the U.S. Dept. of Labor
Non-Compete Clauses: Worthless if Overly Broad
A recent federal case in Chicago highlights the importance of drafting specific non-compete clauses that fully comply with Illinois law (or the law of any applicable state). In order to protect themselves, most business owners require their employees to sign non-compete clauses to prevent client-poaching by former employees. Unfortunately many of those clauses become worthless
Supreme Court Ruling Deals Big Blow to Unions
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court ruled that public workers do not have to pay union fees if they choose not to join the union, potentially poking a significant hole in the unions’ pockets. The 5-4 decision, which included a vote from recent appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch, reversed the legal precedent set in 1977 that