The Illinois General Assembly had a busy year in 2024 drafting new legislation that was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and took effect on January 1, 2025. The following article summarizes important legal advancements in Illinois that every employer won’t want to miss.
Archives for April 15, 2025
April Compliance Corner: Understanding the Summary of Benefits and Coverage: A Primer for Employers
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all group health plans and insurance companies provide individuals a “summary of benefits and coverage” (SBC) that outlines the key features and coverage under the plan. This month’s Compliance Corner gives an overview of what the SBC is, why it matters, and how employers can ensure compliance with regulations.
Potential Unlawful Conduct + Employment Decisions: Wisconsin Court Redefines Arrest Record Discrimination
TakeawaysThe Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Cota decision clarifies that even employees’ non-criminal, municipal citations are “arrest records” covered by the state employment law’s prohibition on arrest record discrimination.The decision means that violations of the law can occur even where the arrest record might play a small part in an employer’s motivation.Employers should be cautious when considering an employee’s arrest record or other potentially unlawful conduct.Related links
President Trump Orders Closure of the Department of Education: What Schools and EdTech Companies Need to Know About FERPA
On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14242 directing the Secretary of Education “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, [to] take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education[.]” This long-expected but dramatic move has educational institutions and education technology
Update on Missouri’s Proposition A: Status of Earned Paid Sick Time Law
Employers must provide notice of Missouri’s new earned paid sick time (PST) requirements no later than April 15, 2025—ahead of the May 1, 2025, effective date of the state’s new PST law, or Proposition A, passed by voters in November 2024—but much uncertainty surrounds the PST provisions due to a
One-Time Change: Employers and Carriers Must Go Beyond Simply Authorizing the Benefit
Florida law entitles injured workers to a one-time change in physicians. This one-time change is a procedural right, per Florida Statute 440.13(2)(f). When the change is granted, the employer or carrier must deauthorize the originally authorized physician and authorize an alternative physician within five days. But your responsibility doesn’t stop there.
Responding to a Subpoena for Employment Records
Employers often receive subpoenas demanding the records of a current or former employee, even if there is no pending litigation. The current or former employee may be involved in litigation, and one of the parties needs
FCC Takes Aim at Media Companies’ IE&D Efforts
FCC Takes Aim at Media Companies’ IE&D Efforts
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr recently revealed in a social media post the agency’s latest probe into various media entities’ inclusion, equity, and diversity efforts.
tgelbman@littler.com Mon, 04/14/2025 – 16:23
Staying I-9 and E-Verify Compliant: Updates for Employers
USCIS has published a new version of Form I-9 and effected new updates to the form and E-Verify. Employers can use the new 01/20/2025 edition date
Jennifer Shaw quoted in SHRM article on Gig Work in California
Jennifer Shaw spoke with Rachel Zheliabovskii regarding her article for SHRM, “Gig Work in California: Fueling the Classification Debate.” The piece dives into the complexities of gig work and the ongoing challenges around worker classification
Artificial Intelligence in the Health and Welfare Space: Opportunities and Considerations for Employers
Artificial intelligence (also commonly referred to as “AI”) is rapidly reshaping industries, and the health and welfare space is no exception. As employers seek innovative ways to improve the administration of health and welfare plans, AI could be a potential tool to optimize operations and reduce costs, but the adoption of AI comes with challenges and ethical considerations, particularly in the areas of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) as well as the fiduciary responsibilities thereunder.
Recent Litigation Emphasizes the Importance of Using Correct COBRA Notices
In Marrow v. E.R. Carpenter Co., Inc., a former employee filed a proposed class action lawsuit against her employer, claiming that the company’s group health plan failed to provide a proper COBRA election notice. The employee alleged that the notice was deficient in several ways, including: (1) not providing a specific deadline for electing coverage; (2) shortening the election period by giving her 60 days from her termination date rather than 60 days from the date of the notice; (3) providing inconsistent information about the premium amount and due date; (4) failing to identify the qualified beneficiaries entitled to elect COBRA; and (5) not being written clearly enough for the average plan participant to understand.
Gig Work in California: Fueling the Classification Debate
Learn about the controversy surrounding gig work in California, including recent legislation and the industry’s present status. Understand the importance of complying with the state’s complex classification laws.
Employers are underestimating how burned out their workers are and it could be an expensive mistake
Almost 70% of employees are at risk of burnout or fully burned out, according to new data.
Millionaire podcaster Mel Robbins hits back Gen Z’s lazy label—she says they’re stuck in a world their boomers parents wouldn’t even recognise
Boomers wouldn’t know what it’s like to navigate adulthood in 2025, like colossal student loan debt, the millionaire TV personality suggested