Articles

Split 7th Circuit allows RV worker’s age discrimination claim to continue

A former Forest River employee will get a second chance to make his claim that the recreational vehicle maker constructively discharged him by refusing to address age-based harassment after a split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals revived the case and sent it back to the Northern Indiana District Court. However, one judge dissented, asserting, “there was not enough ‘constructive’ in the plaintiff’s constructive discharge claim.”

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St. Pierre: Employers grappling with religious exemptions to COVID vaccine

Previous versions of HEA 1001 provided that any worker could be granted a religious exemption to a vaccine mandate without employers inquiring into the validity of the employees’ claims. Had that version of the bill passed through the General Assembly and been signed by Holcomb, Indiana employers would have clear marching orders when it came to religious exemptions from vaccine mandates. But that provision was hotly contested and, ultimately, removed from the version of the bill that is now law in Indiana. So the question remains: What should Indiana employers do when they receive a request for religious exemption from a COVID-19 vaccine mandate?

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Roberson: New law ends forced arbitration in sexual assault, harassment cases

On March 3, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, which will nullify forced arbitration clauses in sexual assault and sexual harassment cases. Following the #MeToo movement, many states have enacted legislation to limit the scope of claims covered in employment arbitration agreements, but the act is the first federal limitation.

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Hurley and Mappes: Noncompete agreements under attack: What to know and how to protect your trade secrets

Businesses routinely use noncompete agreements to protect their most valuable assets, including trade secrets. However, noncompete agreements are increasingly under attack at both the state and federal level. This two-part series will first explain recent developments restricting the use of noncompetes, then Part II will focus on how that increased scrutiny on noncompete agreements may impact trade secret protection.

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NLRB decision creates union decertification limbo

A handful of laborers in northwest Indiana who want to oust their union are instead having to cool their heels because, their attorney says, the National Labor Relations Board is not following the new rule it finalized last year specifically meant to prevent delays in votes on union representation.

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Boshkoff: Preliminary and postliminary activities under the FLSA

In March, the 7th Circuit ruled that members of the Chicago Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Unit were not entitled to minimum wage or overtime compensation for off-duty time they spent storing their rifles and gear in their homes. The ruling provides clarification of preliminary and postliminary work activities and the “continuous workday rule” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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