Employment & Benefits
Often our employment attorneys are seen as an extension of the client’s human resources department.
Often our employment attorneys are seen an extension of the client’s human resources department. That’s because our team understand the complexities of the employer-employee relationship and is equipped with practical, applicable solutions. Ruder Ware exclusively represents the employer in both the public and private sector. We routinely work with clients on highly sensitive issues such as workplace harassment, employee privacy, employee compensation, drug and alcohol testing, and disciplinary issues. In addition, our attorneys design and assist with the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and procedures relating to benefits, hiring practices, employee handbooks, state and federal discrimination laws, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, OSHA, and workers’ compensation.
Our attorneys are actively involved in organizations where human resource professionals as the primary member base. Often they present seminars and in-house training on employment law topics across the state and nationwide.
With decades of experience working with human resource professionals, Ruder Ware has created an audit program to proactively identify potential problems in an employer’s human resource operations. The audit reviews and analyzes current employee-related policies and procedures. For additional detail, follow this link for a complete program description.
Services offered by our Employment Benefits team include:
- Employee Benefits & Compensation Planning
- Employment Contracts & Independent Contractor Agreements
- Employment Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Litigation
- Employment-Related Lawsuits
- Executive Compensation
- Handbook Policy Development & Audits
- Human Resources Counseling Internal Investigations
- Wage & Hour Audits and Litigation Defense
- Workplace Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training
While our approach is proactive, employment issues are often complex. Our litigation team has represented clients before federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate level, as well as before state and federal administrative agencies. Our Employment Litigation page contains a full description of services provided. {W2245065.DOCX/1}
Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.
Posted on May 17, 2023 by Mary Ellen Schill
On May 16, 2023, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2024. With respect to contribution limits, the limits are higher than the ones for 2023 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums have increased as well. As a reminder, these inflation adjusted amounts are effective for calendar year 2024 HSA/HDHP Requirement Cost-of-Living […]
Posted on February 28, 2023 by Sara J. Ackermann
Last week in Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. v. Hewitt, the Supreme Court affirmed employees must be paid a fixed salary of $684.00 per week to be considered “exempt” under the popular administrative, executive, and professional exemptions. The case involved Michael Hewitt, an oil rig worker who was paid a daily rate. His paycheck, issued […]
Posted on February 14, 2023 by Sara J. Ackermann
If you are a federal contractor, keep reading. Last summer, the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a notice to all federal contractors that the Center for Investigative Reporting had requested EEO-1 reports for 2016-2020 pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). While the motive is uncertain, it is likely that this […]
Posted on January 11, 2023 by Sara J. Ackermann, John H. Fisher II and Nicole L. Stangl
Dear Ruder, we are getting lots of long emails from various sources about this proposed noncompete ban. Can you please break this down in easy-to-read language so we don’t have to review the entire 216 pages of the FTC’s proposed rule? Dear Reader, Yes we can! See our answers to some frequently asked questions below! […]
Posted on January 6, 2023 by Sara J. Ackermann and John H. Fisher II
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) started the new year off with a bang when it announced in a press release on January 5, 2023 that it is proposing a new rule that would ban many employee non-compete clauses. The press release follows a 3-1 vote by the FTC to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking […]
Posted on January 5, 2023 by Nicole L. Stangl
The Speak Out Act (“Act”) became law on December 7, 2022. The Act prohibits the enforcement of non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions which are agreed to prior to an allegation of sexual assault or sexual harassment (“sexual misconduct”). The Act applies to disputes regarding alleged sexual misconduct that occur after December 7, 2022. A full version […]
Posted on December 29, 2022 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2023 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. The most notable change is the three-cent per mile increase for businesses. Effective January 1, 2023, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car […]
Posted on October 21, 2022 by Mary Ellen Schill
On October 21, 2022 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. All of the limits shown below have increased (in some cases significantly) from last year. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2022 – $20,500 2023 – $22,500 $200,000 compensation limit […]
Posted on October 20, 2022 by Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
Recently, we have been fielding a fair number of inquiries from clients who have been approached by third parties urging them to claim the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”). The ERC, which the federal government enacted back in 2020 to help blunt the economic impact of COVID-19, is a refundable tax credit designed to reward businesses […]
Posted on October 19, 2022 by Sara J. Ackermann
Today the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a new poster that is required for employers covered by Title VII. The new poster is entitled “Know Your Rights” and includes these changes: Notes that harassment is a prohibited form of discrimination; Clarifies that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or […]
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