Dawn Peacock
Subscribe to Dawn Peacock's PostsDawn M. Peacock is an employment advisor and litigator. She regularly defends employers in all phases of single-plaintiff and class action litigation in state and federal court. Dawn also regularly handles employment-related agency matters. Her practice focuses on discrimination and retaliation. She has particular experience with claims brought under the ADA, ADEA, Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act and data protection laws. Read Dawn Peacock's full bio.
How Does the FMLA Apply to a Remote Workforce?
By Brian Mead and Dawn Peacock on Sep 6, 2022
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Labor
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted in 1993, a year when the idea of working a corporate job from a living room was rare. When the law was passed, the FMLA didn’t contemplate a remote workforce. Now, and especially post-pandemic, many companies are embracing a fully remote workforce (e.g., sales representatives, healthcare...
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New Chicago Ordinance on Sexual Harassment Takes Effect
By Brian Mead and Dawn Peacock on Jul 11, 2022
Posted In Employment
The new Chicago Ordinance on sexual harassment, effective July 1, 2022, requires that an employer maintaining a business facility within the geographic boundaries of Chicago must have a written policy—including a conspicuously displayed notice poster in English and Spanish—documenting the prohibition of sexual harassment. Read more here.
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How Employers Can Determine COVID-19 Test Mandate Costs
By Dawn Peacock on Feb 14, 2022
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
Even though the US Supreme Court blocked the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccinate-or-test mandate for most employers, there is still confusion around who covers the cost for employee COVID-19 tests. In this Law360 article, McDermott’s Dawn Peacock outlines what employers need to know. Access the article.
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New York City Unveils COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Details
By Abigail M. Kagan, Dawn Peacock, Lindsay Ditlow and Michelle S. Strowhiro on Dec 17, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
On December 13, 2021, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, published an order (the Order) requiring private employers to impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates upon all in-person employees within New York City, with limited exceptions, as of December 27, 2021. DOHMH provided a series...
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Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Blocks New OSHA Rule
By Abigail M. Kagan, Dawn Peacock, Michelle S. Strowhiro, Sandra M. DiVarco and Kristen O'Brien on Nov 9, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
On November 6, 2021, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit temporarily blocked the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) issued on November 4, 2021, by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requiring employers with 100 or more employees to implement COVID-19 vaccination policies. The ETS is stayed until further notice, halting its implementation...
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OSHA and CMS Vaccination Rules Released: Here Are the Details
By Abigail M. Kagan, Dawn Peacock, Michelle S. Strowhiro, Sandra M. DiVarco and Kristen O'Brien on Nov 5, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
On November 4, 2021, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiled its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to protect employees of large employers in all industries from COVID-19. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) simultaneously released its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule, applicable to most Medicare- and Medicaid-certified...
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Mask Up, Vax Up: Illinois Governor Issues Immediate Face Covering Mandate for All, COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare, School and State Workers and Students
By Michelle S. Strowhiro, Dawn Peacock, Brian Mead and Michael J. Sheehan on Sep 2, 2021
Posted In Employment, Health and Welfare Plans
On August 26, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2021-20 (the Order). The Order mandates that all individuals in Illinois who are at least two years old and who are medically able must wear face coverings indoors and in other specified settings. In addition, the Order mandates COVID-19 vaccination for certain professionals in...
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