By Christopher KelleherRachel SeeChristopher DeGroff, and Andrew Scroggins

Seyfarth Synopsis: An essential read for any employer, the EEOC’s final Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP), was released on September 21, 2023. The SEP identifies the agency’s enforcement priorities for the next five years, Fiscal Years 2024-2028. The SEP indicates that the agency intends to aggressively pursue its

Continue Reading Behind the EEOC Curtain:  EEOC’s New Strategic Enforcement Plan Reveals Agency Priorities

By Lorraine O’Hara

Seyfarth Synopsis: Seyfarth’s excellent publication “Cal-Peculiarities:  How California Employment Law Is Different,” which is updated annually, highlights the many unique aspects of the Golden State’s employment law.  Increasingly, other states have passed their own progressive employment statutes, warranting their own discussion.  Colorado is one of these states. Discussed below are two Colorado statutes that were

Continue Reading Colorado Peculiarities

By Christopher KelleherAdam Rongo, and Christopher DeGroff

Seyfarth Synopsis: The EEOC has released technical assistance on preventing workplace harassment in the federal sector. While the guidance does not specifically apply to private employers, it provides important lessons for employers when dealing with workplace harassment and avoiding liability in employment litigation, and insight into how the EEOC views

Continue Reading Government Heal Thyself – Lessons for Private Employers Revealed in EEOC Public Sector Harassment Guidance

By Angelina Evans

Seyfarth Synopsis:  On May 13, 2022, FINRA filed a proposed rule change to conform the Industry Code to the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act.  FINRA filed the proposed rule change with immediate effectiveness requesting the SEC to waive the 30-day operative delay. The rule change is effective as of May 13,
Continue Reading FINRA’s Proposed Rule Changes Conforming the Industry Code to “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021” are Effective Immediately

By Megan Toth, Partner, Thomas Horan, Associate, and Gillian Lepore, Associate

Please join our Seyfarth Chicago Labor & Employment attorneys to learn about best practices for conducting investigations of internal workplace complaints and the importance of taking prompt and thorough action to address those complaints and prevent harassment, discrimination and other policy violations.

This program will cover
Continue Reading Best Practices for Conducting Investigations of Internal Complaints in the Workplace

By Matthew J. Gagnon and Tyler Z. Zmick

Seyfarth SynopsisFollowing the March 8, 2021 Executive Order establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, on October 22, 2021 the White House released the first-ever U.S. Government National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. The EEOC contributed to the Strategy and supports its full implementation, suggesting that gender-related issues –
Continue Reading White House Releases First-Ever “National Strategy On Gender Equity And Equality”

By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Christopher DeGroff, Matthew J. Gagnon, and Alex S. Oxyer

Seyfarth Synopsis:  On August 3, 2020, the EEOC announced in a press release that it will resume issuing charge closure documents, or “Notices of Right to Sue.” The Commission had previously suspended issuing closure documents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in
Continue Reading EEOC Update: The Commission Resumes Issuance of Charge Closure Documents

By Erin Dougherty Foley and Katherine Mendez

Seyfarth Synopsis: In light of recent events, the Employment Law Lookout Blog provides some reflection and thought on returning to work in uncertain times.

In February and March we were only just preparing for, and beginning to respond to, the worldwide pandemic. Many of the issues related to returning to work have
Continue Reading Considerations for Employers Returning To Work Amidst Social Unrest and COVID-19

By Kyla J. Miller and Tracy M. Billows

Seyfarth Synopsis: The 4th Circuit rejected a punitive damages award won by a male AutoZone worker who accused the Company of blatantly ignoring complaints of sexual harassment by his female co-worker, finding that managers who failed to act on his complaint, without proof of intentional conduct, did not warrant a punitive
Continue Reading Punitives Are Meant to Punish: So What Happens When Management Watches & Ignores Complaints of Female-on-Male Sexual Harassment?

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