The Illinois House of Representatives recently introduced House Bill 5769, which would create the Illinois Personal Protective Equipment Responsibility Act (the “Act”). The Act would require “essential employers” to provide personal protective equipment (“PPE”) to both employees and independent contractors. The Act defines an “essential employer” as an employer engaged in an “essential business”
Responding to COVID-19: Illinois Specific Considerations For Employers
The State of Illinois has taken strong measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on the State of Illinois, on March 20, 2020, the Governor first issued Executive Order 2020-10 directing Illinois citizens to stay at home. The Governor has since issued Executive Orders 2020-32 and 2020-33 extending most of
Illinois Publishes Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Program
On April 28, 2020, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (the “IDHR”) published its model sexual harassment prevention training program, a copy of which is available here.
As we have previously noted, effective January 1, 2020, the Illinois Human Rights Act requires Illinois employers to train employees on sexual harassment prevention by December
EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Guidance
On June 17, 2020, the EEOC issued additional, revised technical assistance to employers, specifically addressing necessary considerations for employers that have employees returning to the workplace who are at higher risk for more severe illness due to COVID-19. This update supplemented the agency’s earlier guidance regarding best practices for diagnostic testing of employees, and the
Substantial Changes Ahead for Illinois Employers in 2020 Relating to Sexual Harassment Training, Mandatory Arbitration Agreements, and More
On August 9, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into law Public Act 101-0221 (the “Act”), which enhances protections against workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. The Act creates new laws and amends several existing ones, including the Illinois Human Rights Act (“IHRA”), as summarized below:
NEW LAWS
The Workplace Transparency Act (“WTA”). The Workplace Transparency Act
Illinois Enacts Workplace Transparency Act
On August 9, 2019, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed the Workplace Transparency Act (the “Act”) into law. The Act will apply to all contracts, agreements, clauses, or waivers entered into, modified, or extended on or after January 1, 2020. Here are the key features with respect to arbitration agreements, employment agreements and separation agreements that Illinois