Federal and state laws prohibit employers from taking “adverse employment action” against someone for being a member of a protected class. Protected classes are those who are considered “minorities.” Your age, sex, religion, race, creed, or skin color might put you in a protected class. Anti-discrimination laws do not protect employees from petty insults or minor inconveniences even if it…
Unemployment benefits are designed to provide wage assistance to workers in Chicago who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. That means that if you were fired for cause, you might not qualify for unemployment benefits. You also need to meet specific requirements and apply to get benefits. Eligibility Requirements for Illinois Unemployment Benefits You must meet the…
There are a lot of reasons that someone could lose their job. Perhaps the company was downsizing, or you got in a fight with your boss. In general, most reasons given by the employer for termination do not create a wrongful termination, even if you do not agree with the decision, or the reasons or think it is unfair. An…
To have an employment discrimination claim, you must show that the discrimination you are claiming led to an “adverse employment action.” This very specific language can be found in both federal and state law. It is also commonly found in case law that addresses employment discrimination claims. But, what does it actually mean? What is Adverse Employment Action? In general,…
HIPAA Rights in the Workplace and COVID-19 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that provides individual protections for everyone when it comes to their medical information. It requires that certain safeguards be used so that third parties cannot access your medical information. HIPAA’s protections extend to anyone that might have access to your medical…
Part II: More COVID-19 FAQs on Federal Employment Laws COVID-19 and employment is a hot topic today. A lot is going on, and the questions that the Goldman & Ehrlich team are receiving are good ones that should be addressed. In our second round of COVID-19 FAQs, we dive deeper into how COVID-19 is affecting other types of federal laws…
What Can an Employer Do in COVID-19? 4 Quick FAQs COVID-19 has changed the dynamic of employment for a lot of people. Both employers and employees will likely have many questions about how COVID-19 changes or affects their relationships, especially in light of other federal laws that are already in place. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions…
Your Rights as an Employee Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) required certain employers to provide paid leave for employees under certain circumstances related to COVID-19. However, the requirement to provide paid leave under FFCRA expired on December 31, 2020. While some assumed that the provisions would be continued as part…
Businesses across the United States have closed their doors to comply with state-wide closures and mandates. The Illinois Governor issued a “stay-at-home” order back in March, and it is unclear when it will be lifted. However, some parts of the country are starting to lift restrictive orders, at least for certain businesses. Businesses have had to respond by laying off…
Those who work for the City of Chicago, one of the state’s counties or the State of Illinois itself, may not be aware that they may be subject to the protection of employment laws beyond those that protect those in the private sector. Such employees may be afforded additional protection for employment disputes, wrongful termination, and through the First Amendment…