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Legal Updates

Federal Department of Labor Reveals Proposed Rule Regarding Salary Threshold for Exempt Employees

On June 30, 2015, the federal Department of Labor revealed a proposed rule that raises the minimum salary threshold for “white collar” exempt employees to approximately $50,440 annually in 2016.

 

Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act Took Effect June 1, 2015

On June 1, 2015, the Illinois Secure Savings Program Act took effect making Illinois the first state to mandate a retirement savings plan for private sector employees. However, employers are not expected to comply with the Act until the State implements and opens the program for enrollment, which must be completed by June 1, 2017.

 

U.S. Supreme Court Finds Abercrombie & Fitch’s Rejection of Muslim Applicant Unlawful

On June 1, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. finding that it was unlawful for the store to reject an otherwise qualified applicant because the applicant, a Muslim, wore a headscarf to the interview.

 

Colorado Supreme Court Finds Employers May Lawfully Terminate Employees for Use of Medical Marijuana

On June 15, 2015, the Colorado Supreme Court issued Coats v. Dish Network finding that employers may lawfully terminate employees who use medical marijuana during non-working hours despite Colorado law prohibiting employers from discharging employees based on the employee’s “lawful” outside-of-work activities.

 

Defense Verdict in Brain-Damaged Baby/Maternal Death Lawsuit

Kevin Miller recently obtained a defense verdict in a two-week medical malpractice claim. At trial, Plaintiff claimed that the doctor was negligent in failing to order a loading dose of magnesium sulfate to prevent eclamptic seizures, and that he failed to perform a perimortem Cesarean section delivery in a timely fashion. Attorney Matt Maddox second-chaired the case.

 

IDHR Issues Pregnancy Rights Notice to be Posted in the Workplace

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) recently issued the “Pregnancy and Your Rights in the Workplace” Notice that all public and private employers are required by law to post in the workplace beginning January 1, 2015. The notice may obtained from IDHR’s website.