Employment & Benefits
Back
Often our employment attorneys are seen as 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
- Immigration & Workforce Mobility
- Wage & Hour Audits and Litigation Defense
- Workplace Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training
While our approach is proactive, employment issues are often complex. Our employment 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.
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.
Back
Posted on October 19, 2026 by Samuel J. S. Moheban
USCIS has updated its Ukraine Temporary Protected Status (TPS) webpage to state that Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries retain protection, including work authorization, pending an upcoming announcement. Employers should not suspend or terminate a qualifying Ukraine TPS employee solely because prior documentation referenced October 19, 2026. USCIS has not yet announced a new expiration date or […]
Posted on September 4, 2026 by Samuel J. S. Moheban
On September 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification announced that certain H-2A employers may become responsible for retroactive wage adjustments after the Department adopts a new methodology for calculating Adverse Effect Wage Rates. The announcement follows an August 26, 2026 order in United Farm Workers, et al. v. DOL, […]
Posted on July 17, 2026 by Mary Ellen Schill and Morgan H. Sweeney
Due to the sustained increase in the price of fuel, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has increased the optional standard mileage rates mid-year for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses. Effective July 1, 2026, the optional standard mileage rates are 76 cents per mile for business […]
Posted on May 29, 2026 by Mary Ellen Schill
On May 29, 2026, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2027. With respect to contribution limits, and reflecting the inflationary environment, the limits are higher than the ones for 2026 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums have increased as well. As a reminder, these inflation adjusted amounts are effective for calendar […]
Posted on May 28, 2026 by Nicole L. Stangl
On May 14, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) submitted a proposal to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (“OIRA”) seeking to rescind EEO-1 reporting requirements for all eligible employers, along with EEO-2, EEO-3, EEO-4, and EEO-5 data collection, and reporting requirements under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans […]
Posted on February 11, 2026 by Samuel J. S. Moheban
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the registration period for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap lottery will open at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 4 and will close at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 19. The registration fee for this year is $215 per registration. New Weighted Selection Process […]
Posted on December 29, 2025 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2026 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 per mile increase for business use mileage. Effective January 1, 2026, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a […]
Posted on December 19, 2025 by Mary Ellen Schill, Nicole L. Stangl and Morgan H. Sweeney
President Trump signed H.R. 1 (commonly known as, the One Big Beautiful Bill) into law on July 4, 2025, which includes a no tax on overtime provision effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028. Under H.R. 1, employees can take an above the line deduction for “Qualified Overtime.” The deduction is subject to annual […]
Posted on November 13, 2025 by Mary Ellen Schill
On November 13, 2025 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Almost all of the limits shown below have increased from last year. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2025 – $23,500 2026 – $24,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2025 – $350,000 […]
Posted on October 24, 2025 by Samuel J. S. Moheban and John N. Jacobson
Assembly Bill 281 (Senate Bill 287) would require certain Wisconsin employers to participate in the federal E-Verify program. The proposed mandate would apply to state agencies and local government units within Wisconsin. In addition, bidders on state contracts subject to the low-bid process would be required to enroll in E-Verify to qualify to bid. Insight […]
More Insights...
