Author: Kelly Smith-Haley, Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP

nuclear

Was There Fallout from Nuclear Plant Employee’s ADA Claim?

Determining what is a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is meant to be an interactive process between the employer and the employee. However, after exerting significant amounts of energy in the process, one Illinois employer got a reaction it had hoped to avoid—a lawsuit.

teacher

Be Diligent and Thorough in the Interactive Process, Even When Employees Aren’t

Recently, the 7th Circuit—which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—issued an opinion underscoring the importance of diligence, thoroughness, and consistent communication when you interact with employees seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reiterating its position that the interactive process is a shared responsibility between employers and employees.

Health plan

Manager of Healthcare Network to Reimburse Plans for Fees, Says DOL

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and a third-party administrator that provides employee health benefit plans with access to a network of doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers have reached an agreement in which the administrator has committed to improve its communications with health plans and to return certain fees the plans paid for claims […]

retirement

Retirement: The Unique Status of California’s Largest Employer

In a recent case, the court of appeal agreed with a public university, which also happens to be one of California’s largest employer, that certain laws regulating the retirement status and rights of peace officers do not apply to the university under its own retirement plan—even after the university reversed its own practice of complying […]

aliens

Only You Can Protect the Planet from Alien …. Microbes?!

Odd job title alert: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is now on the hunt for a planetary protection officer (PPO). What is this, you ask? Well, in a nutshell, the person who takes on the role of PPO basically becomes Will Smith in the blockbuster film, Independence Day—and he or she will be […]

White House

The High Cost of Employee Turnover: The White House Edition

Whether you agree with him or not, one thing’s for sure: With President Donald Trump, there is never a dull moment! This edition of HR Strange But True is not meant to be a one-sided political discussion. It’s simply an example of how costly employee turnover can be, and with the latest hiring and firing—at […]