Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the country,
Employers wanted to help their employees be healthy,
But unfortunately some lawyers, and the EEOC
Limited plans that ask about disability…
Wellness
The Fate of the EEOC’s Wellness Regulations is Still Uncertain
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
In October 2016, AARP sued the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) under the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”) arguing that there was no explanation for the shift in the EEOC’s position relating to what makes participation in a wellness program “voluntary”. Originally, the EEOC argued that in order for a wellness program to be “voluntary,” employers…
EEOC and Orion Energy Systems, Inc. Settle Wellness Case
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
On April 5, 2017 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it had reached a settlement with Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (Orion) relating to the EEOC’s claims that Orion’s wellness program violated the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) because participation was involuntary, and that Orion retaliated against an employee who objected to the program.
House Legislation Seeks to Harmonize Wellness Programs with ADA and GINA
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
On March 2, 2017, in an attempt to clear the murky waters surrounding wellness programs, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, introduced the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (the “Act’) (H.R. 1313). In an effort to protect wellness plans, the Act reaffirms existing law which permits…
Seventh Circuit Delivers Blow to EEOC Wellness Program Challenge, But Avoids Ruling on ADA Safe Harbor
By Kristin L. Bauer & Paul Patten on
On January 25, 2017, in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Flambeau, Inc., the Seventh Circuit rejected an EEOC challenge to an employer wellness program. The circuit court had the opportunity to address whether an employer’s wellness program was an involuntary medical examination pursuant to the ADA, 42 U.S.C. 12112(d)(4), but instead found the…
AARP Suffers a Setback in its Challenge to the EEOC’s Wellness Regulations
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
As previously discussed, AARP has filed suit against the EEOC and challenged the agency’s wellness regulations. See https://www.disabilityleavelaw.com/2016/10/articles/ada/the-eeocs-2016-wellness-program-regulations-the-saga-continues/ On December 29, 2016, this challenge suffered a setback. In the December 29, 2016 Memorandum Opinion, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates denied AARP’s request for preliminary injunction and held that the regulations would take effect…
EEOC’s 2016 Wellness Program Regulations, The Saga Continues…
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
The EEOC’s 2016 wellness program regulations are once again under fire. On October 24, 2016, AARP filed a complaint against the EEOC in D.C. federal court challenging the EEOC’s rules relating to wellness programs. See AARP v. EEOC Specifically, AARP seeks a ruling that the 2016 Regulations relating to the Equal Employment Provisions of the…
Federal Court Simultaneously Rejects and Upholds EEOC’s Positions on Wellness Programs – Rejects Employer’s ADA “Safe Harbor” Defense
By Francis P. Alvarez & Jackson Lewis P.C. on
In a much anticipated decision, a Wisconsin federal district court has granted Orion Energy Systems, Inc.’s summary judgment on the EEOC’s challenge to its wellness program design. See Sept 19, 2016 Decision and Order. While largely good news for Orion, the ruling creates even more confusion for employers seeking clarity on wellness program design principles. …
EEOC Releases Proposed Rule on Workplace Wellness Programs
Posted on
The EEOC today released for public comment its proposed rule to amend its regulations and interpretive guidance as they relate to wellness programs, including the size of incentives an employer may offer yet still have a “voluntary” wellness program under the ADA. For additional information concerning the proposed rule, click here.
ADA and GINA Guidance on Wellness Incentives on the Way!
Posted on
The days of referring to the EEOC’s guidance on wellness incentives under the ADA and GINA as “long-awaited” may be coming to an end. The EEOC announced that it has sent a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on this issue to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance.
The NPRM is not available…