Must employers try to stop employees' "unauthorized activity"?By Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2006Lawpulse, Page 166Yes, a New Jersey court says, at least if the activity is accessing child porn on company computers and the employer is on notice about it.
Can Employers Prevent Former Workers from Hiring Current Employees?By David F. RolewickJanuary 2006Article, Page 34For years, most Illinois courts have held that an employer can't stop departed employees from recruiting the employer's current workers. But that might be changing.
Corporate officers not personally liable for employee vacation, severance payBy Helen W. GunnarssonDecember 2005Lawpulse, Page 614The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that officers and directors aren't liable under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act for employees' unpaid vacation time and severance pay.
Tax Issues in Employment Discrimination SettlementsBy Ralph A. Morris and Heather R.M. BeckerDecember 2005Article, Page 638Every lawyer who negotiates an employment discrimination settlement should understand the implications of these tax issues.
TaxNet: Online tax filing for employersBy Helen W. GunnarssonNovember 2005Lawpulse, Page 558Now Illinois employers can pay state taxes and file documents online.
Wages and sinBy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2005Lawpulse, Page 274Can an employee who considers homosexuality a sin openly oppose his employer's workplace diversity effort? What are the limits of religious practice and expression in the workplace?
Allowing Disparate Impact Claims Under the ADEABy Lori D. Ecker and Joseph M. GagliardoApril 2005Article, Page 198Will the U.S. Supreme Court allow older employees to prove age discrimination based on employers' facially neutral practices?
Subcontractors bewareBy Helen W. GunnarssonMarch 2005Lawpulse, Page 110Many businesses struggle with how to classify the people who work for them – are they employees or independent contractors? This case won't make it easier.
When Johnny and Jenny come marching homeBy Helen W. GunnarssonJanuary 2005Lawpulse, Page 8Their jobs had better be awaitin' and the accompanying job rights preserved, or their employers may be guilty of violating federal law.
Illinois' new WARN lawBy Helen W. GunnarssonNovember 2004Lawpulse, Page 562There's already a federal law requiring employers to notify workers about layoffs and closing; effective January 1, there'll be a state law to go with it.
Background Checks Required for Euthanasia Technicians P.A. 093-0626May 2004Illinois Law Update, Page 242Effective immediately, each applicant for certification as a euthanasia technician must have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Department of State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form.
VESSA: unpaid leave for domestic violence victimsBy Helen W. GunnarssonMarch 2004Lawpulse, Page 118Find out about this newly effective law that, like the Family and Medical Leave Act, grants unpaid leave to covered workers.
Constructive discharge can lead to strict Title VII liability for employersBy Helen W. GunnarssonFebruary 2004Lawpulse, Page 62The seventh circuit ruled recently that constructive discharge can be a "tangible employment action" in a Title VII suit, in which case employers may not invoke affirmative defenses. And the employer in this case was an Illinois circuit court.
Illinois OKs speaking in (native) tongues in the workplaceBy Helen W. GunnarssonJanuary 2004Lawpulse, Page 10Habla Espanol in the workplace? You can now with impunity, as long as it's your native language and you're talking about non-work-related matters.
New law makes it easier to investigate workplace misconductBy Helen W. GunnarssonJanuary 2004Lawpulse, Page 10Employers are no longer required to get an alleged wrongdoer's consent to hire an outside firm to conduct an investigation of alleged misconduct on the job.
Employees Entitled to Take Leave Due to Domestic or Sexual Violence P.A. 93-0591December 2003Illinois Law Update, Page 600An employee who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or has a family or household member who is a victim, may take 12 weeks per year of unpaid leave from work to address domestic or sexual violence issues, pursuant to the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act.
Legislature Protects Whistleblowers Against Retaliation and Provides for Recovery of Damages P.A. 93-0544November 2003Illinois Law Update, Page 550Employers (excluding governmental entities) are now prohibited from making, adopting or enforcing any rule, regulation or policy that prevents an employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency if that employee reasonably believes the information discloses a violation of a state or federal law.
Overtime Overview: A Look at the Proposed Overtime RulesBy Joseph E. Gumina and Michael J. PulcanioOctober 2003Article, Page 521A thumbnail sketch of the Department of Labor proposal, with a look at how the proposed regulations might affect lawyer-employers.
Small firms, big casesBy Helen W. GunnarssonOctober 2003Lawpulse, Page 486How three lawyers from small-practice settings and different parts of Illinois teamed up to bring a high-stakes whistleblower lawsuit.
