A leave from work to care for your own medical condition or a serious medical condition of a loved one is typically covered under employment laws. The employee’s job will be held for the specified length of time as per their employment contract. However, if the employee loses a close family member, most companies do not have the same policies for bereavement leave. Funeral attendance and a grievance period are not protected unless your company has specified policies available to their employees.
The loss of a spouse or a child can have long-lasting and devastating effects on an employee. Some employers recognize the need to allow the worker to take a short leave of absence to plan a funeral and grieve their loss. However, some employers enact strict rules that prevent needed time away. If the employee chooses to take time off from their job, the employee could face termination.
Change for Bereavement Leave Protection
The state of Oregon is leading the way in making changes to their state laws that will offer protection for bereavement leave. Oregon employees will be allowed up to two weeks of bereavement leave if they suffer the loss of a family member. Other states will hopefully see the importance of this necessity and follow suit in creating laws to prevent terminations. Illinois lawmakers need to take note and offer a plan for employees’ protection.
Contact an Employment Attorney in Chicago
If you have questions or concerns regarding bereavement leave, you can contact the employment attorneys at Goldman & Ehrlich in Chicago. We work diligently to ensure employees are protected.
How to Claim Your Unpaid Wages in Illinois?
In January of 2011, the state of Illinois made it easier for employees to collect unpaid wages by eliminating the need to file a complaint with the state prior to seeking legal ramifications. Wage theft is a general term used when an employer fails to pay an employee what he or she has earned.
An Illinois employment attorney at Goldman & Ehrlich can help you determine if you have an unpaid wage claim. In addition, you may be allowed to file a case against the individual owner of the company as well as the company itself. Your legal fees can also be included in the claim.
Do You Have a Valid Unpaid Wage Case?
Unpaid wages can stem from a number of different scenarios. The following examples may indicate you have a valid unpaid wage claim:
- Temporary employees – a company must report all hours to a staffing agency to ensure you are paid properly, including any overtime you have worked.
- Pay-cards or Stored-valued cards – employers may violate state laws if they use a pay system that charges you to withdraw your wages with a pay-card.
- Vacation time – state and federal laws mandate how vacation pay is accrued, and how it is paid if you are fired or if you quit.
- Illegal time clocks – some electronic time clocks will round down to the nearest fifteen-minute increment, and you may be underpaid as a result.
- Drivers and school bus drivers – some drivers are classified as not eligible for overtime wages. However, drivers for commercial vehicles under 10,000 pounds and school bus drivers are usually eligible for overtime wages.
Illinois Employment Advocacy
This is by no means a complete list of all circumstances that can lead to unpaid wages. The employment attorneys at Goldman & Ehrlich have extensive knowledge of all Illinois state laws, as well as all federal laws to help you receive your unpaid wages. Contact our firm today to see how we can help.