Burke Warren Employment Law Update Webinar (Fall 2021)

Employers of all sizes and backgrounds must remain vigilant and educated in the face of ever-changing employment law issues at the federal, state and local levels. Maintaining compliance with the complexities of new and changing labor and employment laws remains a constant challenge and necessity for employers. Burke Warren attorneys take pride in remaining current on the latest management side labor and employment law issues and in being able to educate clients and friends of the firm on the latest developments.

You are cordially invited to participate in the Burke Warren Employment Law Update Webinar (Fall 2021) set for 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, November 4 (via Zoom).

One hour of Illinois CLE credit is pending. This webinar is ideal for general counsel, CEOs, CFOs, business owners, HR directors, office managers and more.

Topics, speakers and details are as follows:

An Update on Restrictive Covenant Law in Illinois

• Set to take effect January 1, 2022, newly enacted Illinois legislation is set to overhaul the enforceability of restrictive covenants under state law. This session will examine the need for employers to review their existing restrictive covenant agreements, explore whether to enter into new or amend existing agreements before the law becomes effective, and review related “best practices” in anticipation of the new law.

Speaker(s): Burke Warren partners Christopher Kentra and Blake Roter

Marijuana in the Workplace Under Illinois Law

• Recreational use of marijuana in Illinois is now legal for adults 21 or older. An amendment to the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act now defines cannabis as a “lawful product.” As such, an employer cannot discriminate against an employee for using it. This session will provide guidance for Illinois employers with respect to the use of marijuana in the workplace and how to navigate the various aspects of the new law.

Speaker(s): Burke Warren partner Brian Weinthal

Early Retirement Incentive Plan In Lieu of RIFs

• When faced with the need to reduce staffing levels, employers will sometime implement an early retirement incentive plan (ERIP) in lieu of an outright reduction in force (RIF) plan. If employees can be incentivized to retire voluntarily through an ERIP, it can be very beneficial for employers to pursue this strategy. In this case, eligible employees retain some control over the reduction in personnel and this can be viewed in a more positive light. This session will explore the need for employers to carefully navigate various laws to avoid liability including, for example, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Speaker(s): Burke Warren partner Rachel Bossard

New EEOC Protections Against Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

• In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in the case Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that the prohibition against sex discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) includes employment discrimination against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status. In June 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance arising from this decision. This session will examine the scope of protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as identified in the EEOC guidance and what steps employers should take to be compliant and reduce potential liability.

Speaker(s): Burke Warren attorneys Elizabeth Pall and Geneva Ramirez

An Update on COVID-Related Issues in the Workplace

• COVID continues to generate an array of new workplace-related issues that impact employers in requiring them to remain current and take appropriate action as mandated. This session will provide an update on the latest set of developments with respect to COVID including, for example, a recent push by the current administration to extend disability rights protections to so called COVID “long haulers” (individuals who claim to be suffering lingering and debilitating symptoms arising from COVID infection).

Speaker(s): Burke Warren partner Alexander Marks

Register via the Zoom website at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYufuChrjMpEtxJXRAiMl9gdtRr3Wv1RSAH.