The Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker have been busy in 2024, enacting significant changes to existing statutes like the Illinois Human Rights Act (the “IHRA”), the Personnel Records Review Act (the “PRRA”),...more
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently signed HB 3773 into law, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act (the “Act”) to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment practices. Amendments to the Act, which...more
Keypoint: Although not nearly as far-reaching as the Colorado AI Act, the Illinois law adds to the growing patchwork of state laws that regulate artificial intelligence. On August 9, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed HB...more
Following laws enacted in jurisdictions such as Colorado, New York City, Tennessee, and the state’s own Artificial Intelligence Video Interview Act, on August 9, 2024, Illinois’ Governor signed House Bill (HB) 3773, also...more
In the complex tapestry of workplace dynamics, there exists an often unspoken advantage known as the beauty premium or “pretty privilege.” This phenomenon refers to the societal bias toward individuals who are perceived as...more
As we have previously reported, the most recent Minnesota legislative session resulted in a number of new laws that affect employers with Minnesota-based employees. We have issued client alerts about Minnesota’s new law...more
In McCharles v Jaco Line Contractors Ltd., 2022 AHRC 115, an employee alleged that her employer discriminated against her on the basis of gender contrary to the Alberta Human Rights Act (AHRA) when it terminated her...more
Even if “somnambulism” is a disability, an employee who sleepwalks uninvited into the hotel room of her co-worker has no protection, according to a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit....more
In Zupcic v Saputo Foods Limited, 2022 AHRC 13 (Saputo), the Human Rights Tribunal of Alberta (Tribunal) dismissed an employee’s complaint that that she was discriminated against in employment on the ground of her physical...more
The Virginia General Assembly has passed new employee protections for three classes of workers: military members, individuals with disabilities, and those using cannabis oil for medical reasons....more
On March 23, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 1480 into law, amending three state statutes. First, the Illinois Human Rights Act is amended to impose employer obligations when making employment decisions based on...more
Restrictions on inquiring into, or using, criminal history information are not new to Illinois employers. For years, Illinois employers been precluded from using an applicant’s arrest history when making hiring or other...more
With Governor Pritzker’s signature to Senate Bill 1480 on March 23, 2021, the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) now prohibits any employer’s use or reliance on a criminal conviction to support an adverse employment action...more
Governor Pritzker signed Public Act 101-656 into law, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), the Business Corporation Act of 1983, and the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003. The Public Act became effective when signed on...more
On March 23, 2021, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Public Act 101-0656 into law, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), the Business Corporation Act of 1983 and the Equal Pay Act of 2003 in ways that will...more
Illinois has enacted new limitations and procedural obligations on the use of criminal conviction records in employment decisions. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill amending the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) on...more
In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 1480, which amends the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Equal Pay Act, and the Illinois Business Corporation Act. On March 23, 2021, Governor J.B....more
Illinois is not only poised to join the ranks of states that either prohibit or limit employers’ ability to evaluate applicants’ and employees’ criminal conviction records, but also implement a retaliation standard that more...more
Governor Ralph Northam signed two bills that both go into law on July 1, 2020, and will drastically alter employment discrimination claims in Virginia. The Virginia Values Act ("VVA") (Senate Bill 868) makes sweeping...more
Effective July 1, 2020, the Virginia Values Act expands the scope of the Virginia Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The new law also...more
The New Year brings new laws for Illinois employers. Some laws go into effect this Summer, while others are effective as of this month. For employers who have not yet revised handbooks, policies and agreements, the time is...more
Like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) forbids sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination. To be actionable, the harassment must be so severe or pervasive that it creates...more
The State of Illinois has enacted new laws and amendments that create new requirements and obligations for Illinois employers. Some of them go into effect at the end of this month....more
An individual may file a claim under Tennessee’s “whistleblower statute”—the Tennessee Public Protection Act (TPPA)—if she was fired solely for reporting or refusing to participate in illegal activity. Similar to federal law,...more
On April 12th, Maine joins a growing list of jurisdictions, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York City (as well as other cities within New York) Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Vermont, that...more