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Please Click HerePosted on March 15, 2021 by Sara J. Ackermann and Amy E. Ebeling
Just when we thought the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was about to disappear into HR history, we have another extension (to the tax credits for voluntarily providing qualifying leave)! Here is what you need to know: The American Rescue Plan extension (“Extension”) applies to both the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) […]
Posted on March 5, 2021 by Nicole L. Stangl and Ruder Ware Alumni
On February 25, 2021, Governor Tony Evers signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 4 (“Act”). The Act became effective on February 26, 2021. The Act, in part, created broad immunity to civil liability related to exposure of COVID-19 for companies under Wisconsin Statute section 895.476 (“Statute”). The full Act is available here. Worker’s compensation is still the […]
Posted on February 11, 2021 by Ruder Ware Alumni
With Congress still negotiating a third round of stimulus payments, you should carefully consider when to file your taxes this tax season. Tax season begins February 12th and ends April 15th. Filing your taxes earlier or later within that time period may determine whether or not you receive the third stimulus payment and how much […]
Posted on February 4, 2021 by Nicole L. Stangl, Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
On Thursday, February 4, 2021, the Wisconsin State Assembly (“Assembly”) voted on a resolution to repeal the mask mandate. This vote came a week after the Wisconsin State Senate (“Senate”) voted on the same resolution to repeal the mask mandate. The same statute that gives the Governor power to create executive orders, also allows the […]
Posted on February 1, 2021 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new, “stronger” Guidance on identifying and preventing coronavirus exposure risks in the workplace. Although this is labeled a “Guidance” and OSHA says that it is advisory, employers are cautioned that they can be at risk for standard OSHA penalties under the General Duty Clause if […]
Posted on January 25, 2021 by Nicole L. Stangl and Ruder Ware Alumni
On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order (“Order”) which directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to: Issue revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic within two weeks of the Order; Consider whether an emergency temporary standard on COVID-19, including whether masks […]
Posted on January 21, 2021 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Nicole L. Stangl
Today the CDC issued its “COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started”, which includes posters, FAQs, and templates to use when communicating with your workforce about the vaccine. In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ webpage on the vaccine has a great deal of information specific to our state. As always, as you […]
Posted on January 4, 2021 by Nicole L. Stangl and Sara J. Ackermann
Happy New Year! As we move into 2021, we know that many of you are considering whether to require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination. The current COVID-19 vaccines have received Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) from the Food and Drug Administration. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) governs the conditions of emergency use […]
Posted on December 23, 2020 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 2021, and the decrease in rates reflect the decrease in the fixed and variable costs of operating a vehicle. Effective January 1, 2021, the optional standard mileage rates […]
Posted on December 22, 2020 by Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
On the evening of December 21, 2020 the House and Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”), a 5,593 page bill that funds the federal government for the next fiscal year and provides long anticipated COVID-19 pandemic relief to individuals and businesses. President Trump is expected to sign the legislation shortly. It is […]