All employers should have employment practices liability insurance, otherwise known as an EPLI insurance policy. This is different from a workers compensation policy or a commercial general liability policy, or even a property or auto policy. The EPLI policy provides coverage for wrongful acts arising from the employment process. While most large companies have employment practice liability insurance, few new, smaller, and medium-sized companies have EPLI, or an adequate EPLI insurance policy.
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OSHA – Emergency Temporary Standard Vaccination Requirements and More
On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for the purpose of minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.
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Where are the workers?
The help wanted signs are everywhere. What happened to all the workers?
There is not a single industry that is not affected by the lack of willing and capable earners. This issue is not just isolated to the restaurant or retail shops. It is also an issue with teachers, medical professionals, attorneys and the like.
IDC Survey of Law – Jim Cook Contribution
Even though we regrettably had to say good bye to Jim Cook who joined the Illinois Attorney General, before he left he contributed to the Survey of Law put out by the IDC concerning toxic torts. The Survey is a very comprehensive look at multiple areas of tort law and can be found here.
Sexual Harassment Is A Pervasive Problem: Employers Need Policies, Training to Prevent and a Good Employer’s Liability Insurance Policy
By now most of Illinois, if not beyond, is aware that yet another major celebrity (this time a famous Chicago radio host), has been accused of sexual harassment in court pleadings. It has been years since the Me Too movement began, and stories still arise about sexual harassment in the workplace. Still!
James Cook Co- Authors Article: “Business Information and Illinois FOIA Requests”
James Cook, an associate attorney with the Firm, has co- authored an article with his brother, William Cook, about the Freedom of Information Act. The article, “Business Information and Illinois FOIA Requests” is published in this month’s Illinois Bar Journal. The article gives a good overview of FOIA and the related issues facing businesses. McKenna is ready to help you with your FOIA questions.
Illinois Businesses Should Look At The Model ABA Rules For Guidance On Virtual Practice
More than a year has passed since businesses moved to a virtual format in the wake of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Covid-19 is still circulating and new strains, including some more virulent strains, are still a concern for much of the world. We can no longer assume that the remote work place is merely a temporary convenience. While some businesses are in the process of returning their workers to the office, for many businesses, virtual offices is here to stay. All businesses, but especially small businesses, need to explore how to keep private client information confidential. Confidentiality is important not only for state and federal compliance laws, but also to serve client needs and expectations.
[Read more…] about Illinois Businesses Should Look At The Model ABA Rules For Guidance On Virtual PracticeIllinois State Legislature Casts a Dark Shadow Over All Litigants With New Bill Setting 9% Prejudgment Interest To Accrue From Notice Of Injury
At the urging of the Plaintiffs’ bar, the Illinois State Legislature—at the last minute in a lame duck session, passed a draconian and unconstitutional new measure that will harm tort litigants for years to come if it is signed by the Governor and becomes law. Currently, prejudgment interest does not accrue on personal injury claims. The legislation—House Bill 3360, provides that prejudgment interest would accrue from notice of the injury, not the date of filing suit, and at a rate of 9%.
Illinois Right to Fire for Political Speech and Conduct
The world watched as thousands marched in protest and others stormed the US Capital Building this past week. The identities of few but the faces of many have been displayed on mainstream media and social media channels. Some with more frequency than others. Some of those faces may belong to your employees.
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Employers Can Avoid Penalties for Failing to Comply with Illinois’ Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Law
The Illinois Workplace Transparency Act required all employers to train employees on sexual harassment prevention by December 31, 2020, and requires training thereafter on an annual basis. If your company failed to do so, there is still time to comply to avoid penalties.