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Federal Court Says Working From Home is Not Automatic Accommodation

Posted on April 28, 2015 by

A recent decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission failed in its claim that Ford Motor Company violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by failing to accommodate an employee with irritable bowel syndrome when the employee requested to work from home on four days of the work […]

Federal Court Applies Worker’s Compensation Exclusive Remedy to Asbestos Secondary Exposure Lawsuit

Posted on April 28, 2015 by

Plaintiffs in asbestos personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits often attempt to circumvent the exclusive remedy of worker’s compensation.  The federal district court for the Western District of Wisconsin has recently applied Wisconsin’s exclusive remedy provision to dismiss a Wisconsin employer from an asbestos lawsuit brought by an employee.  The case is Boyer v. Weyerhauser […]

“In Sickness and in Health…”: DOL Issues Final Rule Granting FMLA Rights to Married Same-Sex Couples

Posted on March 10, 2015 by

The DOL issued a Final Rule revising the Family and Medical Leave Act’s (FMLA) definition so that eligible employees in legal same-sex and common law marriages can take FMLA leave to care for their spouse or family member, regardless of where they live. The regulation is effective March 27, 2015. The DOL has moved from […]

Wisconsin Will Become A Right-To-Work State This Week?

Posted on February 23, 2015 by

Since the news broke last Friday, it is becoming very clear that Wisconsin will become a right-to-work state in the very near future.  A Ruder Ware alumni attorney and a colleague had a conversation about this proposed legislation recently which we have summarized here. Ruder Atty: It looks like the Legislature is going to consider […]

Adjust Job Duties

Posted on November 3, 2014 by

A recent decision by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reaffirmed the duty of employers to consider minor adjustments to job duties as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This decision, while dealing with the ADA, reinforces the position taken by the Equal Right Division in Wisconsin that adjustment of work […]

U.S. Supreme Court Reviews Notice Requirement

Posted on October 29, 2014 by

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review a decision on a case brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against national clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. which focuses on the duty of an employee to request an accommodation for religious beliefs. This decision will have a significant impact on employers and […]

IRS Issues 2015 Limits for Qualified Plans

Posted on October 23, 2014 by

Autumn brings two things, at least in Wisconsin. Lots of leaves on your lawn, and the IRS announcement of the contribution and benefit limits applicable to qualified retirement plans for next year. Let s ignore the leaves for now, but the IRS limits we can help you with. Keep this chart with your important papers. […]

If You Are A Federal Contractor/Sub-Contractor Your Workers Got a Boost In Pay: $10.10 New Minimum Wage for Workers on Federal Contracts

Posted on October 7, 2014 by

On February 12, 2014, President Obama signed Executive Order 13658, “Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors,” to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for all workers on Federal construction and service contracts. The President took this executive action because boosting wages lowers turnover and increases morale, and will lead to higher productivity overall. Raising wages […]

EEOC Brings More Complaints

Posted on October 1, 2014 by

I have written over the past several months regarding the activism at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The beat goes on. Several recent complaints have been filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission seeking to protect employees from alleged discriminatory conduct by an employer. In the first case, the EEOC filed suit over alleged sex […]

Bring Your “Comfort Animal” to Work – Everyday?

Posted on September 29, 2014 by

I am familiar with the national movement of “bring your child to work,” but now I am wondering if we will have a national movement to bring your “comfort animal” to work. A recent federal court decision in Hawaii held that an employer may have discriminated against an employee based upon his depression and adjustment […]