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Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Harvey Weinstein, Bill O’Reilly, Who’s Next?—Are you prepared for harassment allegations in your workplace?

Posted on December 1, 2017 by

Sexual harassment in the workplace is not new.  However, the rash of recent cases reported in Hollywood, Corporate America, and our Federal Government are shining a new spotlight on the issue. As an employer in Wisconsin, here is what you need to know to avoid being the next headline: All allegations must be taken seriously.  […]

Ageism in the Workplace?

Posted on November 30, 2017 by

There has been a lot of discussion lately about “ageism” in the workplace.  People are wondering what this means and what type of steps need to be taken by an employer to avoid age discrimination complaints. Ageism is the key word being used today to describe attitudes and behaviors in the workplace that reflect negatively […]

OSHA Extends 300A Electronic Reporting Deadline to December 15

Posted on November 27, 2017 by

The Occupational and Safety Administration (OSHA) has announced the December 1, 2017 deadline for certain employers to electronically submit 300A injury and illness reports for 2016 has been extended by two weeks, to December 15, 2017. This deadline extension affects employers with 250 or more employees and employers with 20 to 249 employees in designated […]

Extended Leave is an Accommodation – Maybe Not

Posted on November 17, 2017 by

As the after effect of the recent Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision about extended leave as an accommodation continues to develop, a serious question is developing of whether an employer is obligated to give an extended leave to a person with a disability who has exhausted their twelve weeks of federal medical leave.  The […]

Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell in Job Interview?

Posted on November 16, 2017 by

A number of states have passed legislation prohibiting an employer from asking a candidate for a new job about his or her salary history in other employment settings.  While such a law has not passed in the State of Wisconsin, there is clearly a ground swell of support for employers to stop asking salary history […]

2018 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2018 Social Security Taxable Wage Base – Updated for New Taxable Wage Base

Posted on October 19, 2017 by

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. A few of the limits shown below remain unchanged from last year, but others have increased. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2017-$18,000 2018-$18,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2017-$270,000 2018-$275,000 $160,000 defined benefit limit 2017-$215,000 […]

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals – Super Human Resource Department?

Posted on October 9, 2017 by

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (which addresses federal court cases brought in Wisconsin) has stated in the past that it does not intend to be a “super human resource department” for employers.  Recent court decisions have suggested that the Federal Court may be reconsidering that position.  There have been a number of employment law […]

EEOC Sues for Transgender Discrimination

Posted on October 6, 2017 by

Recent action by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has raised the specter of whether transgender persons are considered protected under the federal discrimination laws.  The EEOC has sued a company in Denver that allegedly discriminated against a transgender man who applied for a position as manager.  This case addresses the question whether a transgender person […]

Judge Strikes Down DOL’s Proposed Overtime Rule!

Posted on September 8, 2017 by

Finally, it appears we have closure on this saga that started over a year ago!  On August 31st, the same Texas federal district court judge who granted a preliminary injunction last November delaying the effective date of the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule, issued a final judgment invalidating the rule.  As you may recall, […]

Check Your Handbooks!!! UPS Settles Maximum Leave Policy Violations for $2 million.

Posted on August 9, 2017 by

The EEOC filed suit against UPS on behalf of approximately 90 current and former employees for multiple violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The agency charged UPS with failing to properly accommodate employees with disabilities.  Most importantly, the EEOC alleged that UPS had a maximum leave policy that automatically terminated employees when they […]