On January 25, 2019, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a highly anticipated decision, Rosenbach v. Six Flags Entertainment Corporate et al., extending the reach of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). BIPA is an Illinois privacy law that regulates the collection, use, and retention of biometric data such as fingerprints, face, and eye scans by imposing procedural requirements on corporations that collect the data. Though not an employment case, the decision impacts employers using biometric time-keeping systems in Illinois.
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Quick Guide To Harassment Prevention Training Requirements Across The US
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, a number of states (and New York City) now mandate workplace sexual harassment prevention training.
The chart below is intended to help multi-state employers keep track of their obligations across the country.
Domino’s Not A Joint Employer In Wage Dispute, Judge Rules
In a welcome decision for franchisors, and first of its kind in the Second Circuit, the Southern District of New York ruled that Domino’s Pizza Franchising LLC, the franchisor (Domino’s), did not exert enough control over its franchisee to warrant joint employer status. This determination means Domino’s will not have to face claims brought under
US Supreme Court Affirms Employer Use Of Class Action Waivers In Arbitration Agreements
Welcome news for employers: companies can require their workers go through arbitration to pursue any legal claims against their employers, rather than go to court or join together in class lawsuits or grievances, the US Supreme Court held today in a 5-4 vote.
Writing for the majority in three consolidated cases (Epic Systems
Top 10 Takeaways For Managing A Diverse Workplace From Our Civility Seminar
Last week, a team of Baker McKenzie partners (Andy Boling, Doug Darch, Bill Dugan and Miriam Petrillo) led a lively roundtable in Deerfield, Illinois on the topic of civility in the workplace.
Attorneys from the EEOC (Greg Gochanour, Regional Attorney for Chicago Office) and the NLRB (Paul Hitterman, Regional Attorney for Region 13 of the NLRB) joined us in leading the discussion. Topics included disciplining employees for uncivil workplace behavior, the enforceability of confidentiality restrictions on witnesses during internal investigations and the NLRB’s newly issued test for reviewing employee work rules.
Here, we share a “top 10” list to highlight the principal takeaways from the program.
SEC Invites Regulated Entities To Voluntarily Submit Self-Assessments Of Diversity Policies And Practices–Read This Before You Accept
Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) introduced its voluntary Diversity Assessment Report for Entities Regulated by the SEC. The Report is intended to help SEC-regulated entities conduct self-assessments of their diversity policies and practices, and provides these entities with a template for submitting information about their self-assessments to OMWI. Conducting self-assessments and providing the information to OMWI are voluntary.
The SEC’s Report is in line with the recent demands from US shareholders demanding transparency and accountability when it comes to gender pay and commitments to creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces. We expect diversity and inclusion to remain at the forefront of legal issues facing employers for years to come.
Act Fast To Comply With The 2018 Minimum Wage Updates
As we embark on a new year, take note of the minimum wage in each state and comply with any increases that begin in 2018.
Unless otherwise indicated, the following minimum wage increases are effective January 1, 2018:
How To Avoid Class Action Liability Under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act
Attention employers using biometric identification technology, such as retina scans, fingerprint identification and facial recognition technology:
A number of corporations in Illinois, including internet and video game companies, food product manufacturers, gas stations, and restaurant chains, have been sued in the past few months for alleged BIPA violations.
Here’s what you need to know
Turning Over A New Leaf… Introducing The Employer Report
Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
After two years of blogging to our friends in the Lone Star state, we are excited to announce that we are embracing the opportunity for new beginnings this fall. We are turning over a new leaf and expanding our