Illinois Pregnancy Rights Notice Posting Requirement Effective January 1, 2015

As we previously reported, beginning January 1, 2015, covered Illinois employers must comply with the recent amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act (Act) expanding employment protections for employees and applicants with pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. Among the amendments is a requirement for such employers to post the Pregnancy Rights Notice published by the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) in a conspicuous location on the employer’s premises where notices are customarily posted. Covered employers must post the English version of the notice and may post the Spanish version so long as the English version is also posted. The notice, in both English and Spanish, is available on the IDHR website and can be accessed here.

Employers are reminded to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the amendments:

• Update employee handbooks to reflect changes in the law;
• Obtain and post the IDHR notice; and
• Train supervisors on obligations under the new law.

For more details see our briefing, Illinois Amends Human Rights Act to Extend Pregnancy Protections.