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Please Click HerePosted on January 12, 2018 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Attorney Bob Reinertson wrote recently about a decision of the National Labor Relations Board that significantly changed how the NLRB will review workplace policies and employee handbooks to determine whether they are in compliance with federal law. The issue has always been that workplace policies (normally included in an employee handbook) may not interfere with […]
Posted on December 21, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
We have reported in blog articles and seminars in recent years on decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that invalidated employee policies and handbook provisions which sought, among other things, to promote workplace civility and reasonable behavior. Last week the NLRB overturned the 2004 case that started that trend. In the 2004 case, […]
Posted on December 15, 2017 by Mary Ellen Schill
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 2018, and the increased rates reflect the increase in gasoline prices. Effective January 1, 2018, the optional standard mileage rates will increase to 54.5 cents per mile for […]
Posted on November 30, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on November 27, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on November 17, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on November 16, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on October 19, 2017 by Mary Ellen Schill
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 […]
Posted on October 9, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]
Posted on October 6, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
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 […]