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2010 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2010 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on October 16, 2009 by

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Note that all of the limits shown below are unchanged from 2009, because the relevant cost-of-living index for 2009 is less than the cost-of-living index for 2008, the basis for the cost of living increases. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living […]

Enforcement of Red Flags Rule by FTC Postponed

Posted on August 6, 2009 by

On July 29, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it was postponing until November 1, 2009 its enforcement of the “Red Flags Rule” (the “Rule”), which may be found at 16 C.F.R. 681. Originally, enforcement of the Rule was scheduled to begin on August 1, 2009. Under the Rule, certain businesses and organizations are […]

Red Flags Rule

Posted on July 22, 2009 by

On August 1, 2009, a new FTC rule (known as the “Red Flags Rule”) will go into effect which will require many businesses and organizations to implement safeguards to protect their consumers against identity theft. Under the Red Flags Rule, businesses and organizations are required to spot and act on certain activities or “red flags” […]

Certain Wisconsin Transportation Subsidiaries No Longer Qualify for Sales and Use Tax Exemption

Posted on July 10, 2009 by

On June 29, 2009, Governor Doyle signed Wisconsin’s Biennial Budget Bill for 2009-2011 (the “Budget Bill”). The Budget Bill had several provisions impacting businesses, including one related to the sales and use tax exemption for transportation companies. Prior to the enactment of the Budget Bill, transportation companies were exempt from Wisconsin sales and use tax […]

At It Again – FMLA Revised

Posted on July 9, 2009 by

Most employers in Wisconsin recently revised their Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy and forms to comply with the revised federal regulations that became effective on January 16, 2009. This was the first revision to the federal regulations since they were issued by the Department of Labor back in 1996. Therefore, employers felt they […]

Status of Legislative Discussions Regarding Elimination of Qualified Economic Offer Language

Posted on June 23, 2009 by

We are providing an update regarding the discussions over potential changes to state law impacting collective bargaining for school districts.   As you know, the State Senate and State Assembly are meeting this week to consider compromises to the state Budget Bills adopted by each entity to see if they can reach an amicable compromise […]

New Wisconsin Law Prohibits Discrimination Against Employees For Failure to Attend Religious or Political Meetings

Posted on June 11, 2009 by

As of May 26, 2010, Wisconsin law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who do not wish to attend religious or political meetings, or take part in any communication regarding religious or political matters. If an employee refuses to attend a religious or political meeting or participate in communications on such matters at the request […]

New Law Allows Employees to Seek Compensatory and Punitive Damages in Wisconsin Discrimination Cases

Posted on June 11, 2009 by

On Monday, June 8, 2009, Governor Doyle signed 2009 Wisconsin Act 20 (“the Act”), which amends the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (“WFEA”) by permitting employees in employment discrimination, unfair genetic testing, and unfair honesty testing cases to seek and be awarded compensatory and punitive damages. Before this law, employees in Wisconsin were only entitled to […]

2010 Health Savings Account Cost of Living Increases

Posted on May 19, 2009 by

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the HSA contribution limits and for High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. HSA/HDHP Requirement  Cost-of-Living Adjustments Limit on HSA Contributions – Self-only HDHP 2009 – $3,000 2010 – $3,050 Limit on HSA Contributions – Family HDHP 2009 – $5,950 2010 – $6,150 […]

EEOC Says Employers Cannot Require Participation In Health Risk Assessment

Posted on May 18, 2009 by

In a recent informal opinion letter, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) held that an employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) when it required employees to undertake a health risk assessment (“HRA”) as a condition of participating in the employer s group health plan. Facts: The employer had implemented an HRA which included […]