Matthew D. Lahey represents management in a wide range of employment and traditional labor matters. He has conducted federal and state court litigation and has participated in proceedings and hearings before:

• The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• The U.S. Department of Labor
• The Illinois Department of Labor
• The Illinois Department of Human Rights
• The Illinois Human Rights Commission
• State unemployment compensation tribunals
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

He has also participated in numerous labor arbitrations and elections.

Mr. Lahey has spoken on a wide range of subjects, including:

• Numerous federal statutes, including:
  • The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
  • Title VII
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Discipline and discharge
• Harassment prevention
• Union avoidance issues
• Employee handbooks and hiring techniques
• Employment agreements and restrictive covenants
• Temporary employees
• Employee monitoring and privacy issues
• Personnel files
• Military leave
• Various Illinois laws, including:
  • Illinois Equal Pay Act
  • Illinois Whistleblower Act
  • Victims Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA)
  • The Personnel Records Review Act
• Labor and employment issues related to Social Media and social networking

Publications

"Federal Appeals Court Enjoins Implementation of NLRB's Private Sector Posting Rule," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (April 19, 2012)

"NLRB Attempts to Clarify Social Media Issues," Illinois Banker (December 2011)

"NLRB Clarifies Social Media Issues," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (August 25, 2011 )

"I Thought We Had a Deal?! — the NLRB, the Courts and the Continuing Debate Over Contract Coverage vs. Clear and Unmistakable Waiver," The Labor Lawyer, American Bar Association (Fall 2009)

"Workers Who Have Been Discharged Due to Foreign Trade Are Now Entitled to Greater Benefits," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (May 22, 2009)

"Responding to Picketing at the Work Site," (co-author) Construction Lawyer (Fall 2008)

"NLRB Alters Its Rules on the Voluntary Recognition Bar," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (October 10, 2007)

"At-Will Disclaimers Do Not Undermine Strike Replacements' Permanent Status," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (October 10, 2007)

"Proposed Employee Free Choice Act would Dramatically Alter the Union Determination Process," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (April 19, 2007)

"NLRB Clarifies 'Supervisor' Definition," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (October 5, 2006)

"New DOL LM-10 Guidance Provides Clarity and Leniency," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (February 2006)

"A Subjective Test To Determine 'Adverse Actions' in Retaliation Claims (and Discrimination Claims?)," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (November 2005)

Speeches and Presentations

Mr. Lahey's recent presentations include:

"Liability Avoidance – From Interview to Discharge," Back Office Exchange Seminar, Chicago, Ill. (October 19, 2012)

"Social Media & the NLRB: How employers can stay out of trouble with the National Labor Relations Board," Food and Dairy Human Resources/Labor Conference, La Quinta, Calif. (March 12, 2012); Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana Casino HR Summit, Des Plaines, Ill. (November 9, 2011)

"Union Training: What to Know, What to Do, and What Not to Do," Client Seminars (Winter 2012, Fall 2011, Fall 2010)

"Are Unfair Labor Practices Really Unfair? What Every Employer Should Know About the Recent Actions of the NLRB but Were Afraid to Ask," Schiff Hardin Labor & Employment Breakfast Briefing, Chicago, Ill. (October 19, 2011)

"An Update on NLRB Coverage Issues," NLRB Region 13 and Chicago-Kent Hot Topics in Contemporary Labor Relations Law Conference, Chicago, Ill. (March 18, 2011)

"Handling Employee Meltdowns, Tough HR Questions in 2010," Schiff Hardin Labor & Employment Group Seminar, Chicago, Ill. (October 19, 2010)

"Social Networking Goes to Work – Employment and Traditional Labor Issues re: Social Networking," Schiff Hardin Labor & Employment Group Seminar, Chicago, Ill. (November 3, 2009)

"The NLRB, the Courts and the Continuing Debate Over Contract Coverage vs. Clear and Unmistakable Waiver," ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law; Committee for the Development of the Law Under the NLRA – Midwinter Meeting, Coronado, Calif. (March 3, 2009)

"Washington Briefing – The Fair Pay Act, Executive Orders, and New Developments Under the FMLA and ADA," Client Seminar (Spring 2009)

"Sexual and Other Unlawful Workplace Harassment," Client Seminar (Summer 2008)

"Big Brother is Watching: How Far May Employers Go in Monitoring Their Employees?" Confidentiality and Privacy in the Cyber Workplace, Schiff Hardin Labor & Employment Group Seminar, Chicago, Ill. (June 3, 2008)

Awards and Honors

Illinois Super Lawyers — Employment & Labor

Former Illinois Rising Star — Employment & Labor,
Illinois Super Lawyers