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Illinois

Disabled or not? Diagnosis and symptoms are just part of the analysis

01/01/2008

Many serious conditions aren’t disabilities at all under the ADA. It all depends on how the condition affects the person’s daily life. That’s why it’s important to gather as much information as possible before you concede that an employee is disabled. Many times, the claimed condition just doesn’t measure up …

Women have up to three years to file equal-Pay lawsuits under the EPA

01/01/2008

If you thought last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Ledbetter case made it clear that employees must file EEOC complaints within 300 days of suffering a discriminatory pay decision, think again. That deadline applies only to sex discrimination cases brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act …

Who screened these screeners?

01/01/2008

An investigation by federal, state and Chicago authorities uncovered no fewer than 23 illegal immigrants working in security-sensitive areas at O’Hare International Airport. Ideal Staffing Solutions Inc., of Bensenville, employed the workers …

Options help Xerox staff cope with illness

01/01/2008

When illness strikes a family member, worry and stress can hurt job performance. Xerox helps employees manage complex diagnoses with a patient advocacy program. Employees who use the company’s Health Systems Management (HSM) program can get information about conditions …

After United gives workers the bird, some give it back

01/01/2008

Five United Airlines workers needed medical attention for nausea and vomiting after partaking in the airline’s holiday peace offering—a full Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. The feast was supposed to be United’s way of restoring goodwill after the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association criticized the airline …

Basic problem stalls pay suit: Plaintiff made lots of money

01/01/2008

Jacqueline Bowbin sued Bulkmatic Transport Inc. for gender discrimination, alleging violations of the Equal Pay Act. In 2006, Bowbin claims, her supervisor told her she would be well into a six-figure salary with bonuses and stock compensation. But that year, Bulkmatic apparently did not award either, companywide. Bowbin cried gender discrimination …

More woes for Marion VAMC

01/01/2008

The Marion Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) is defending the credentialing process it used to hire Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez, who resigned after allegedly being implicated in 10 patient deaths …

Worker receiving disability benefits: Can we substitute unpaid FMLA for paid leave?

01/01/2008

Q. My employee, who is a union member, has a nonwork-related injury that requires a six-week absence from work. In the meantime, she is receiving $300 per week through a union trust fund that provides her and other covered union members with short-term disability benefits. She also has requested and was placed on FMLA leave. We’d like her to substitute any unpaid FMLA leave with paid leave, which is our usual company policy when someone is out on FMLA leave. Is there a problem with doing this in this situation?

‘Unusual’ behavior may signal need for FMLA leave

12/01/2007

Employees who can’t tell their employers they have serious health conditions may still put their employers on notice—and trigger their FMLA rights. “Unusual” behavior alone can be enough to notify a reasonable employer that an employee may have a serious health condition. That unusual behavior can include shouting at a supervisor, a panic reaction or other sudden emotional outbursts …

Train supervisors to keep promotion processes moving

12/01/2007

Have you stressed to supervisors and managers that they shouldn’t let an employee’s promotion paperwork sit on their desks for weeks at a time? If not, do it now. Here’s why: Sitting on a promotion can be an adverse employment action …