Podcast Features Flurry of New Illinois Employment Laws

Hosted by: David Weisenfeld

Illinois has often been at the forefront of employment law trends, and the past year has proved no exception. On this podcast, Chicago employment attorney Stacey Smiricky of Faegre Baker Daniels examines a host of new developments affecting employers in the Land of Lincoln.

The key recent employment law measures affecting HR include:

  • A "ban the box" law that will restrict criminal history inquiries by private employers with 15 or more employees;
  • Significantly expanded pregnancy accommodation requirements;
  • Sexual harassment protection for unpaid interns; and
  • Legalization of medical marijuana.

Podcast Features Flurry of New Illinois Employment Laws

June 23, 2014

Smiricky calls the state's new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act the one that will present the biggest compliance challenge for employers. Smiricky explains, "There are so many nuances that it's going to require a lot of in-depth analysis as to what you can and cannot do."

She also cautions employers to be aware that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is taking a much closer look at the language being used in employer separation agreements. While these cases are in their infancy, she advises that employers must take extra care to ensure that their releases are compliant.