By Ilana Morady, Brian Gillis, Clara Rademacher, Patrick D. Joyce, and Bradley Doucette

Seyfarth Synopsis: Senate Bill 553, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, requires nearly all employers in the State of California to prepare a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, train employees on how to identify and avoid workplace violence, and maintain a violent incident log by July

Continue Reading Workplace Violence Prevention Plans Required For California Employers by July 2024

By Julia Tape and Linda C. Schoonmaker,

Seyfarth Synopsis: Workplace violence costs employers billions of dollars per year. More importantly, these incidents can cause immense physical and psychological harms to employees. The consequences of these harms impact productivity and morale, and can lead to individuals leaving the workforce. Compared to other job sectors, professionals working in the healthcare industry

Continue Reading Texas Takes the Lead in Addressing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities

By Brent I. Clark, Mark A. Lies, IIAdam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The CDC published guidance aimed at assisting retail and service companies in limiting workplace violence against or involving their employees that may be associated with enforcing face mask mandates and other COVID-19 precautions.

On March
Continue Reading CDC Guidance on Workplace Violence in Retail Associated with COVID-19, Customer Face Mask Enforcement

By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, IIMatthew A. SloanAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  Recently the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill with bipartisan support that would require the Department of Labor to promulgate an OSHA standard specifically aimed at protecting healthcare and social service workers from workplace violence.
Continue Reading House Passes Legislation on Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance

By: Adam R. Young and Danielle R. Rabie

Seyfarth Synopsis: New Decision from Illinois Court of Appeals holds that employer can be liable for workplace violence under Illinois Gender Violence Act.

As we have discussed in many prior blogs, employers face numerous hazards of workplace violence, a complex term which can encompass a range of behaviors by employees, customers, and
Continue Reading Illinois Employers May Face Liability for Workplace Violence Against Women Under Gender Violence Act

By Christopher Truxler & Nicole Baarts

Seyfarth Synopsis: Workplace violence is no laughing matter. Although California law arms employers with strict laws to prevent workplace violence, no one wants to find themselves petitioning a court for emergency injunctive relief. Instead, employers should foster healthy workplaces and monitor early warning signs in order to address threats of violence before it is
Continue Reading “Office” Violence Is No Laughing Matter

By Brent I. Clark, Adam R. Young, Matthew A. Sloan, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Fifth Circuit rules on Title VII liability concerning workplace violence in a healthcare setting involving third parties. Gardner v. CLC of Pascagoula, No. 17-60072 (5th Cir. February 6, 2019).

A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for
Continue Reading OSHA and Title VII on Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance

By Robert T. Szyba, Gena B. Usenheimer, and Ryan B. Schneider

Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 3, 2018, the New Jersey Senate Labor Committee unanimously advanced a bill that would require covered hotels to provide “panic devices” to certain employees. New Jersey joins the increasing number of jurisdictions considering or enacting this form of anti-sexual harassment legislation.

Background
Continue Reading Phone, Wallet, Keys . . . Panic Button? Hotel Employee Panic Device Bill Advanced to New Jersey Senate for Further Consideration

By Joshua M. HendersonIlana R. MoradyBrent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen

Introduction: We are posting our colleagues’ California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog post on workplace violence. While this particular topic is California centric, the principles discussed below are universal, and appropriate to publish widely. For instance, workplace violence under federal OSHA is generally
Continue Reading Fight Club Rules: Using Restraining Orders to Prevent Workplace Violence

By Christopher W. Kelleher, Rashal G. Baz, James L. Curtis, and Brent I. Clark,

Seyfarth Synopsis: On October 11, 2017, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance that will require Chicago hotels to provide certain staff with “panic buttons” and develop enhanced anti-sexual harassment policies.

In an effort to protect hotel employees from sexual harassment
Continue Reading Click for Backup: New Ordinance Requires Chicago Hotels to Provide Staff with “Panic Buttons”