The US Department of Labor (DOL) announced new overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many workers who before were exempt from such overtime regulations will now become eligible to have their overtime pay. Under the new regulations, any worker making $47,476 or less must be paid overtime for hours worked in excess [...]
First of all, we would like to wish you a happy, healthy, and productive new year. As 2016 quickly gets underway, I'm sure you've been thinking of ways to become more efficient and successful this year. Yet, this year promises to be challenging in many respects. Many consumers will continue to struggle to get their [...]
In many instances, yes, you can be fired for social media comments or blogging! If you have a Facebook or Mypage, or like to comment on someone else’s blog post, be careful what you write. If your employer finds that your post or comments are offensive, disparaging, or disclose proprietary business information, you may be [...]
Timing of Employers’ Criminal Inquiries and Background Checks An Illinois legislature has recently adopted the Job Opportunities For Qualified Applicants Act (the “Job Opportunities Act”). Effective January 1, 2015, the Job Opportunities Act prohibits certain employers from inquiring into or considering a job applicant’s criminal history or background prior to considering such applicant’s qualifications. The [...]
Last year, Governor Quinn signed into law a new Pregnancy Accommodation Act, or the Illinois Pregnancy Accommodation Amendments (the “Pregnancy Fairness Act”). Effective January 1, 2015, the Pregnancy Fairness Act states that Illinois employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant women, during and after pregnancy. The new law applies to full and part-time employees. [...]
While politicians in Springfield continue fighting over Illinois’ new minimum wage requirements, the Chicago’s City Council recently approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to raise Chicago’s minimum wage to $13.00 per hour by 2019. In an overwhelming 44 to 5 vote, the City Council’s members approved the following gradual increase in minimum wages payable to employees [...]
A recent ruling confirms Limited Liability Companies value as a business form. In a recent decision by the Illinois first District Appellate Court, it was affirmed that the sole member of a Limited Liability Company (“the LLC”) could not be held personally liable for fraud while acting as managing member of the LLC. In Dass [...]
The recent Illinois Appellate Court case, Fifield and Enterprise Finance Group, Inc. v. Premier Dealer Services, Inc. 2013 IL App (1st) 120327, upheld an Illinois precedent stating that a “noncompetition agreement is not valid and enforceable if an employee is fired or resigns within two years.” Illinois companies can still require newly hired employees to [...]
There are federal and state (Illinois) laws small business owners need to know about rest and meal breaks for non-exempt employees- and corresponding compensation. These laws generally address the following questions: Should an employee be paid while on breaks? Are employers required to offer breaks? How long such breaks should be? Federal Laws According to the Fair [...]
Small business owners in Illinois are receiving official looking green or blue envelopes from “Corporate Records Services,” which call them to provide corporate and personal information, such as the business name, address and credit card information with the payment of $125 to prepare corporate records. With the scam looking official, small business owners are sending [...]
