Savine Employment Law Blog

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By: Savine Employment Law, Ltd.

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gary savine
irene savine

Latest from Savine Employment Law Blog

If your business isn’t in the practice of updating its employee handbook annually (and we know you’re out there), then it’s time for a new tradition!  Join us at any of these events aimed at helping your business build its employment compliance — starting with employee handbooks.  If you wait until Jan. 2026, it’s too late!  All of our Q4 handbook “Ask Me Anything” sessions on LinkedIN and webinars are no-cost, direct ways to get your employment compliance-related questions out of the way before the end of the year.
OCTOBER

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Continue Reading Handbook Season 2025 – A Q4 Tradition Begins!

In our most recent post about I-9 audits and ICE raids, we discussed some of the reasons why ICE may target certain businesses. Sometimes it’s one major tip, and sometimes it’s a series of compounding incidents that seem minor on the surface but land your business squarely on ICE’s radar.
Take the Hyundai manufacturing site in Georgia where ICE arrested and detained over 300 South Korean workers: The Guardian explores the idea that workplace safety issues sparked an initial investigation of the battery plant back in March of this year. And six months later, ICE conducted the U.S.’s largest workplace …
Continue Reading From Crisis to Control: Building Compliant Systems that Protect Your Workforce

Let’s be real: we’re no longer living in an era where I-9 compliance is a background concern. With the imminent escalation of ICE presence in the Chicago area, the consequences of noncompliance (and the risk it creates for employing workers without authorization to work in the US) are a front-page reality. Even compliant businesses should be paying attention. 
In June, the President posted a public message on Truth Social, stating that the goal of ICE agents was to carry out “the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” He explicitly directed ICE to target sanctuary cities like Chicago and…
Continue Reading ICE Is Here: How Chicago-Area Businesses Can Prepare For I-9 Audits And Raids

Bring a brown bag lunch and get ready to raise your hand!  Class is now in session Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT on LinkedIN Live as we bring you an Ask Me Anything (AMA)! edition of our latest webinar series, Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business. 
Got a question that’s been bugging you about employment law compliance?  
Bring it. 
This is your chance to hear the most critical issues raised by clients growing their business and to bring your questions – no matter how off the wall.

We’re flipping the format. No PowerPoints. Just straight answers and…
Continue Reading Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business – Ask Us Anything!

Ever had an employee complaint that read like a lawsuit?You might be dealing with a “ChatGPT JD.” These AI-generated grievances might misstate the law, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore them. In fact, mishandling one could cost you.In today’s video, I break down why these AI-penned employee complaints create a new form of legal risk, and what employers should be doing now to stay protected.For more tips that help clear away compliance confusion and conflict, check out our YouTube channel and follow us on LinkedIN.  

The post Employee Complaints That Read Like Lawsuits appeared first on Savine Employment Law
Continue Reading Employee Complaints That Read Like Lawsuits

Last night, Gary Savine delivered his monthly “Wait, What?” Employment Law Update to HRHotSeat Chicago. For those who don’t know, HRHotSeat is a mastermind community of HR professionals across Chicagoland. They gather every month—faithfully—to wrestle with their hardest people problems together.
 
These aren’t paid events. They aren’t formal legal trainings. They’re not designed to lead to billable work. They’re about something more fundamental.
They’re about showing up.
 
Showing up for the people who show up for everyone else.
HR professionals are often the first to get blamed and the last to get thanked. They carry weight that others

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Continue Reading What Does It Mean to “Show Up” for HR?

ICE Raids, National Guard Troops, and Chicago Employers: Why This Isn’t Just a California Story

This weekend, something changed.

President Trump bypassed California’s governor and ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles following protests that erupted after a federal immigration raid in the city’s garment district. It was the kind of muscular, symbolic move his administration thrives on: dramatic, polarizing, and full of implications for other sanctuary cities like Chicago.

If you’re running a business here, you should be paying close attention.

Not Just a Border State Problem Anymore

For years, immigration enforcement was seen as a risk mainly

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Continue Reading ICE Raids: How Illinois Businesses Can Protect Themselves

Chicago Employers: Get Ready for Minimum Wage and Fair Workweek Changes On July 1, 2025
Chicago remains one of the most regulation-heavy cities in the country when it comes to employment law. For employers, staying compliant isn’t optional—it’s mission-critical.
Two significant legal updates take effect on July 1, 2025, and they’ll impact everything from payroll to scheduling protocols. Here’s what you need to know.
Minimum Wage Increases Across the Board
Effective July 1, 2025, Chicago’s minimum wage will increase under the city’s Minimum Wage Ordinance:
  • The standard minimum wage will rise to $16.60 per hour.
  • For youth and

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Continue Reading Minimum Wage and Fair Workweek Changes

Confidentiality Has a Shelf Life Now: What Illinois Employers Need to Know About Amendments to the Workplace Transparency Act 
 

 

Don’t Let Legal Changes Trip You Up! Our Workplace Law Ready program will keep your business up to date.
If you rely on standard confidentiality, arbitration, or severance language in your employment agreements, it’s time to take a closer look.
A new bill—HB 3638—has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and is expected to be signed into law soon. It makes substantial changes to the Workplace Transparency Act, expanding employee rights and tightening the

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Continue Reading Amendments to the Workplace Transparency Act 

“Your employee handbook probably won’t get you sued. But it won’t protect you either.”

Most handbooks are written to survive a courtroom—not to help managers manage. They’re packed with vague rules, legal disclaimers, and boilerplate language that might check a compliance box but don’t actually help anyone navigate the gray areas of real life at work.  Watch the video below and learn more about our  Workplace Law Ready package to fix this gap. It’s not just about compliance on paper. It’s about practical protection. We deliver legally sound policies written in plain English, live legal training for managers, and

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Continue Reading The Policy Illusion: Why Your Employee Handbook Isn’t Protecting You

15 Minutes That Could Shift How You Lead
When you’re scaling fast, legal shouldn’t just be a line item — it should be a lever. Yet too often, employment law gets brought in after a risk shows up, rather than before momentum stalls.
That’s why we’re inviting growth-focused leaders — CEOs, COOs, CFOs — to a power-packed 15-minute webinar:
📅 Wednesday, May 21 at 12:00 PM CT
“The C-Suite Guide to Partnering with Your Employment Lawyer”

What You’ll Learn in 15 Minutes:

  • Why Legal Deserves a Seat at the Strategy TableNot just in emergencies — but in budget planning, workforce strategy,

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Continue Reading How to Make Your Employment Lawyer a Strategic Growth Partner

Our latest employment law webinars for Illinois businesses are now available through our website!  View our latest series, “Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business” and our 2024 “Do It NOW! Employment Law Compliance” series at no cost with registration.  Our “good as live” replays allow viewers to submit questions, receive materials and request SHRM credit!
All of our webinars are hosted by our firm’s principal and founder, Gary Savine.  Topics we’ve covered in our recent and past employment law webinars include, but are definitely not limited to:

  • How to choose an employment lawyer to make your business more profitable

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Continue Reading Employment Law Webinars

A Webinar To Help Your Business Learn About The Right Resources For Employment Law Compliance
Many business owners try to handle employment law issues themselves—until it backfires: 

  • Costly compliance mistakes leading to lawsuits 
  • DIY contracts that fail to protect your business 
  • Unnecessary legal risks that could have been avoided 

Thinking you’ve “got it covered” can be a dangerous trap. The truth? Employment law isn’t a DIY project. 
Join us for Session 3 of our Employment Law & Compliance Webinar Series, “Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business”: 
Date: Wednesday, March 19th
Time: 12:00pm CT
Location: Live Online | Live…
Continue Reading DIY Employment Law WILL Hurt You!

Staying compliant with labor laws is a top priority for HR professionals, but keeping up with constant legislative changes can be overwhelming. Illinois has introduced several significant labor law updates for 2025 that directly affect hiring practices, wage compliance, workplace policies, and employee rights. For HR professionals, it’s crucial to stay ahead of these changes to avoid costly legal issues. 
Key Illinois Labor Law Updates for 2025 And What You Can Do NOW To Stay Compliant!
Illinois has strengthened worker protections, and HR professionals need to adapt to these updates to ensure compliance and minimize risks. Here’s a breakdown of…
Continue Reading Illinois Labor Law Updates for 2025: What HR Professionals Need to Know

Our 2025 Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business webinar series aimed at helping businesses understand how employment lawyers benefit the companies and organizations they serve kicked off the start of the new year.  This month, we’re delving into  “How to Choose an Employment Lawyer To Make Your Business More Profitable” on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 12:00 p.m. Central.
The right employment lawyer is more than just a safeguard against lawsuits—they can be a strategic asset to your business. From minimizing compliance risks to improving workplace policies, a skilled employment lawyer helps your company or organization avoid costly missteps while creating a…
Continue Reading How To Choose An Employment Lawyer To Make Your Business More Profitable