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Please Click HerePosted on July 29, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Recently, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) and the Department of Labor (“DOL”) separately proposed new rules aimed at making unionization easier – ignoring the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” As explained below, the NLRB proposed a new set of representation pre-election procedures, popularly characterized as the “quickie election” rules, while […]
Posted on July 27, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued a decision in favor of an employer in a workers’ compensation case for unreasonable refusal to rehire. In doing so, the court emphasized that an employer is not required to make an accommodation to an employee’s personal obligations in order to escape liability under the unreasonable refusal to rehire […]
Posted on July 26, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The 2011-13 Wisconsin budget bill raises the limit on many types of small claims actions. Effective July 1, 2011, the monetary limit for small claims actions for money judgments, replevin, attachments, and garnishments is $10,000 or less. Previously, the small claims limit was $5,000 or less. The increased limit does not apply to personal injury […]
Posted on July 22, 2011 by Mary Ellen Schill
A recent memo from the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has clarified the timeline that local government units should use for deducting the required employee contribution to the Wisconsin Retirement System. In its memo, ETF has determined that the deductions should begin with the first full pay period which begins on or after […]
Posted on July 8, 2011 by Sara J. Ackermann
Today, at the Grand Lodge in Wausau, Governor Walker signed into law a bill that allows qualified individuals to carry concealed weapons, except in certain places such as courthouses and police stations. The law, which becomes effective on November 1, 2011, contains a number of provisions that will affect public and private employers in Wisconsin. […]
Posted on June 23, 2011 by Mary Ellen Schill
Due to the increases in the cost of gasoline since establishing the 2011 rates last year, the Internal Revenue Service is increasing mid-year the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses. Effective July 1, 2011, the optional standard mileage rates will be 55.5 […]
Posted on June 16, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Assembly passed its version of the Budget Bill early this morning. That version will now be submitted to the Senate for consideration. It is anticipated that the Senate will pass the Assembly version without change, but that remains to be seen. There are several changes to the Municipal Collective Bargaining Law as amended by […]
Posted on June 6, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Under the Obama administration, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has increased its enforcement of the wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Previously in such claims, if the number of worked hours were disputed and an employee had kept hand written records of the hours that he or she allegedly worked, […]
Posted on May 25, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
You have faithfully and scrupulously carried out your Mom’s wishes. You are her primary agent under her durable and healthcare powers of attorney because Mom wants you. She wants your companionship. She wants your care and attention. She moved from the homestead to live near you because you are the one she wants. She not […]
Posted on May 18, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
New legislation has been proposed that greatly affects collective bargaining with police, fire, and deputy sheriff (public safety employees) bargaining units. Assembly Bill 127 (which has been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance) amends Section 111.70 and Section 111.77 of the Wisconsin Statutes relating to collective bargaining for public safety employees. One of the […]