On August 1, 2012, Illinois became the second state in the country to enact a law prohibiting employers from requesting that employees provide login or password information for a social networking website or demanding that employees grant them access to any non-public portion of the employee’s social networking website. The law was enacted to combat the growing trend of employers requiring prospective and current employees to grant their employers access to their private social networking accounts, for the purpose of thoroughly vetting or investigating the individual. While the law certainly prevents employers from continuing to engage in such intrusive behavior, it also incentivizes employers to avoid exposing themselves to the liability that snooping through a social networking website can bring. In light of this new law, employers must completely avoid requesting login, username, or password information from any current or perspective employees and avoid retrieving any information from social networking websites that is not available in the public domain.
Recommended Reading
Final Electric Power Transmission and Distribution and Electrical Protective Equipment Rule Goes to OMB
After over 12 years of rulemaking, on June 27, 2012, the draft final rules for the general industry power transmission standard, 29 C.F.R. 1910.269, and the construction standard for power transmission and distribution, 29 C.F.R. 1926 Subpart V were sent to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Specifically, within OMB, the Office
Miners & Marijuana
As in other industries, mining companies must contend with employees and contractors using or being under the influence of illegal drugs in the workplace. Marijuana is one of the most prominent substances detected in drug screens of job applicants. Mine operators have routinely made blanket prohibitions against marijuana for safety and legal compliance. But what about marijuana prescribed for medical purposes? And what about recreational use of marijuana during non-work hours in states that allow marijuana use without a prescription? These are just a few of the issues faced by employers.
California Senate Bill 142 Aims to Expand Lactation Accommodation Requirements
California legislators continue to advocate new legislation expanding employer requirements to provide lactation accommodations for employees. California Senate Bill 142 (SB 142) would amend the California Labor Code and the Health and Safety Code to require additional lactation accommodations for employees.