Labor & Employment Law Update

Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (board) filed a legal brief in an ongoing federal lawsuit over the viability of a multi-part right-to-work law implemented through a county-wide ordinance in Hardin County, Kentucky.  Among other things, the ordinance at issue prohibits the use of union-security provisions in collective bargaining agreements, and also regulates hiring halls, dues check-off, anti-coercion and discrimination provisions, and the penalties for violations of Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act.  The board’s central argument is that ...

The EEOC officially published proposed rules applying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to employer wellness programs on April 20, 2015. The public comment period ends June 19, 2015.

Wellness programs, often offered as part of group health plans, are programs designed to improve employee health and reduce health care expense.  Wellness programs vary widely and may include incentives encouraging employees to participate in smoking cessation or weight loss programs, or undergo health risk assessments or biometric screenings.

Despite rules applicable to wellness ...

Not exactly—but it is quite useful, nonetheless.

Recently, the Office of the General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board issued a report on lawful and unlawful employee handbook rules.  And while the information provided in the report does not have the force of law, the guidance is quite detailed and it provides insight into what, for the moment, is the board’s approach to enforcement on employee handbooks.

What the report makes clear is that context is key to determining whether an employee handbook provision will be considered lawful or not.  For instance, it is ...

Last month OSHA published another bulletin as part of its series for providing guidance on safety and health compliance with respect to temporary workers.  This particular bulletin reiterated OSHA’s position that temporary employees have the same rights and protections as all other covered employees, including protection against retaliation for engaging in protected activity.  OSHA stressed that a temporary employee who believes he or she is retaliated against for reporting injuries, participating in OSHA inspection, raising safety concerns or complaints, or engaging in ...

The IRS and Treasury Department recently issued Notice 2015-16 discussing initial approaches to implementing the 40% excise tax imposed on high-cost health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  This notice is the first step in the process leading to final regulations.

Beginning in 2018, the excise tax, also called the “Cadillac Tax,” will impose a 40% tax on the cost of employer-sponsored health plans that exceeds certain thresholds. The tax may affect few plans initially, but is expected to affect many more over time as the cost of health care grows faster than inflation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations (FMCSR) set forth rules and regulations for employment applications involving applicants applying to drive commercial motor vehicles. (See 49 C.F.R. § 391.21).  Section 391.21 has been adopted in most states (for example, Illinois law recognizes Section 391.21 pursuant to Title 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code).

FMCSR specifically requires applicants completing a commercial driver application to (1) list all violations of motor vehicle laws or ordinances (other than parking) of which the applicant was ...

On March 25, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the highly anticipated Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) decision, Young v. UPS, no. 12-1226.

The Court found a genuine issue of facts as to whether UPS failed to accommodate in 2006 a part-time delivery driver, restricted from 70 to 20 pounds lifting during her pregnancy, even though it accommodated other drivers injured on the job or otherwise disabled, as well as drivers who temporarily lost DOT certification.  As a result, the Court remanded the case to the appellate court to ...

This is the first time since 1974 that the protected classes for affirmative action contractors have been modified.  The effective date for compliance is April 8, 2015 for any new or modified contracts (more than $10,000). At this time, you must begin implementing the new requirements related to sexual orientation and gender identity applicants and employees. The OFCCP held webinars in March to give contractors guidance on what they are expecting out of these new requirements.  Here is what we learned:

• It is encouraged that all affirmative action contractors should follow these ...

Despite labor’s historical stronghold in the Midwest – Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Tennessee and now, Wisconsin – have become Right-to-Work (RTW) states.  Is Illinois next?  What does this mean for employers?

RTW In a Nutshell: Money and Power

In the 25 states that have not passed RTW laws, including Illinois and Missouri, a union security clause in a collective bargaining agreement requires all employees in the bargaining unit to either be a dues/fee-paying union member – or a non-member who pays “fair share” fees.  The battle is over the non-member “fair share” ...

The Cook County Board of Commissioners recently passed an ordinance which prohibits any company or individual who is found guilty or liable of wage theft from obtaining Cook County procurement contracts, business licenses or property tax incentives for up to five years. The ordinance is effective May 1, 2015. Cook County is now the largest municipal entity in the United States to have passed an ordinance of this nature.

Under the new Cook County Wage Theft Ordinance, businesses found to have violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act ...