Time for Illinois Employers to Review Their Handbooks and Policies

Effective January 1, 2024, Illinois employers face sweeping changes to employment law, including mandatory paid leave under the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, expanded bereavement and violence-related leave rights, new liability under the Gender Violence Act, commuter benefit requirements in certain jurisdictions, and expanded donation leave obligations. Employers must also account for amendments to personnel record access and the NLRB’s Stericycle decision, which heightens scrutiny of workplace policies that could chill protected concerted activity, making careful review and revision of handbooks and policies essential.