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Please Click HerePosted on July 9, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on June 23, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on June 11, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on June 11, 2009 by Sara J. Ackermann
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 […]
Posted on May 19, 2009 by Mary Ellen Schill
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 […]
Posted on May 18, 2009 by Sara J. Ackermann
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 […]
Posted on April 21, 2009 by Melissa S. Kampmann
If your assets, including life insurance proceeds and retirement assets, are close to or worth more than $3,500,000, you have very attractive estate planning opportunities because of the rare convergence of the following three events: Depressed asset values; Historically low interest rates; and The potential for a limited time frame to continue receiving valuation discounts […]
Posted on April 20, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On Thursday, April, 16th, 2009, the Joint Finance Committee of legislature voted to eliminate the QEO Legislation as part of its review of the state budget. While specifics are still being worked out, it is clear that the initiative to eliminate the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) is alive and well. The companion legislation that eliminates […]
Posted on March 27, 2009 by Mary Ellen Schill
At a March 24 webinar conducted by the IRS and the Department of Labor on the new COBRA provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”), IRS representatives gave insight into the IRS position on what is an “involuntary termination” for purposes of the COBRA subsidy. Group health plan sponsors should be […]
Posted on March 23, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) revisions to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations became effective January 16, 2009. The revisions are extensive. Significant changes were made that impact an employer’s responsibilities under the law. In addition to adopting regulations that implement the new military call-to-duty and military caregiver FMLA leaves, the important […]