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Happy New Year! Pass the Champagne AND a Joint—Illinois Legalizes Marijuana Effective 1/1/2020

Posted on December 30, 2019 by

Here in Wisconsin marijuana is still illegal.  However, this week our neighbor Illinois becomes the 11th in our nation to legalize marijuana which may cause complications for Wisconsin employers who recruit or have locations in that state.  Our neighbor Minnesota has had marijuana legal for medicinal purposes since 2014 (recreational use is not yet legal […]

The DOL Issues Final Rule to Update Regular Rate Regs!!

Posted on December 18, 2019 by

Late last week the Department of Labor announced a Final Rule that will allow employers to more easily offer bonuses and benefits without worrying about the regular rate of pay. The rule is the first major change to the regulations governing regular rate requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in over 50 years. […]

2020 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2020 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on November 6, 2019 by

On November 6, 2019 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. All of the limits shown below have increased from last year.   Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2019-$19,000 2020-$19,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2019-$280,000 2020-$285,000 $160,000 defined benefit limit 2019-$225,000 2020-$230,000 […]

Sara Ackermann Presentation at Mfg First Expo

Posted on October 22, 2019 by

My practice is dedicated to helping business owners and HR professionals work through some pretty sticky employment issues.  Although there is not much I have not seen, employee behavior never ceases to amaze me.  With the evolution of marijuana and CBD legalization, it is going to get even more interesting.  For the latest information on […]

It’s a Bird – It’s a Plane – It’s the Final Overtime Rule!!!

Posted on September 24, 2019 by

The long wait is over. Today, the U.S. Department of Labor confirmed the final rule on the overtime “white collar” exemptions. Effective January 1, 2020, the minimum salary level for exempt workers will be $684 per week ($35,568 annualized). As you may remember, in 2015, the DOL attempted to increase the exemption to $913 per […]

2020 HSA Contribution Limits are Announced

Posted on May 28, 2019 by

Today the IRS announced the HSA limits for calendar year 2020.  Hard to believe we are already talking 2020, especially after a Memorial Day weekend in Wisconsin where the air conditioning and furnace were both needed.  As you long for summer, look forward to slightly higher limits in 2020, as set forth in the chart […]

DOL Overtime Rule Update: Breaking News!

Posted on March 8, 2019 by

Today the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would substantially increase the number of workers eligible for overtime. Most significantly, the DOL has recommended the salary threshold for workers required to be paid overtime be raised from $455 a week ($23,660 annually) to $679 a week ($35,308 annually). The […]

OSHA Pulls Back on Electronic Reporting Rule

Posted on February 1, 2019 by

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has partly pulled back on its controversial requirement that certain employers electronically file injury and illness data with OSHA.  Last week, OSHA announced that employers with 250 or more employees no longer need to electronically submit information from their OSHA 300 forms (the Log of Work-Related Injuries and […]

Increased Gasoline Prices Lead to Increase in Optional Standard Mileage Rates for 2019

Posted on December 14, 2018 by

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2019, and the increased rates reflect the increase in the fixed and variable costs of operating a vehicle.  Effective January 1, 2019, the optional standard mileage rates will […]

October OSHA News in Brief – New Interpretation on Drug Testing and Safety Incentives, Targeting Employers Using Form 300A Data, and Limiting Inspection Warrants

Posted on November 6, 2018 by

Three related developments on the OSHA front in October have implications for employers.  First, OSHA has walked back its previous interpretation of the anti-retaliation rule it implemented in 2016.  That rule prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for or discouraging them from reporting on-the-job injuries and illnesses.  OSHA had interpreted the rule, controversially, as prohibiting […]