Handbook Policy Development & Audits
Employee handbooks are an integral road map for employees to navigate the rules of their employer.
At Ruder Ware, our attorney team has written countless handbooks to provide processes, protections, and proactive guidance. Our handbooks are in compliance with the latest laws and policies and are customized to each employers unique work force. Topics regularly addressed in the handbooks include:
- Hiring
- Employee retention
- Employment at-will
- Dispute resolution procedures including arbitration
- Racial and sexual harassment
- Equal opportunity
- Employee dignity
- Safety and health
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Rules of conduct
- Employee discipline
- Attendance
- Lay-off and recall
- Job transfers and promotions
- Paid time off (e.g., vacation, holidays, sick pay, etc.)
It has been said that the best HR is proactive HR. Because of that our employment attorneys created an audit program to provide of checkup of current operations. The goal is to ensure that in-place policies and procedures comply with current employment laws. There is no one-size-fits-all program as the audit is a review of your current policies and procedures. Our attorneys are up-to-date on current state and federal laws and have the training and applicable know-how to evaluate whether they provide the appropriate protections. To schedule your audit contact Sara Ackermann.
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 July 8, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann, Nicole L. Stangl and Morgan H. Sweeney
On July 3, 2024, a federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the FTC’s noncompete ban. Notably, the injunction only applies to those plaintiffs named in the suit. All other employers will still need to comply with the noncompete ban when it takes effect in September. A final decision on […]
Posted on July 2, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann and Nicole L. Stangl
Late Monday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas denied a marketing firm’s motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the DOL’s new overtime rule. This denial affirms that, for now, employers, other than the State of Texas, must comply with the DOL’s new overtime rule which went into effect Monday, July 1, 2024. As each […]
Posted on July 1, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann and Nicole L. Stangl
This past Friday, a Texas federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for the State of Texas, postponing the effective date of the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule. Currently, the injunction is limited only to State of Texas employees. All other employers must still comply with the final rule which went into effect today, July […]
Posted on May 9, 2024 by Mary Ellen Schill
On May 9, 2024, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2025. With respect to contribution limits, the limits are higher than the ones for 2024 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 2025. HSA/HDHP Requirement Cost-of-Living […]
Posted on April 23, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann
Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to finalize a new rule to prohibit employers from enforcing noncompetes against employees. Highlights of the new rule include: Employers are prevented from entering into new noncompetes with workers on or after the rule’s effective date, which will be 120 days after the rule is published (which will […]
Posted on April 23, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann
Today the Department of Labor issued its long-awaited rule raising the fixed salary requirements for employees in the executive, professional, and administrative exemption categories (EAP) and increasing the standard salary level and the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (HCE). (Note that the State of Wisconsin does not recognize the HCE exemption, so […]
Posted on January 25, 2024 by Samuel J. S. Moheban
Federal laws place employers in a challenging position, requiring them to navigate between compliance with laws designed to prevent the employment of persons not eligible to work in the United States and laws punishing discrimination and document abuse. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines, and potentially even criminal prosecution. While all employers would benefit from […]
Posted on December 14, 2023 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2024 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 slight per mile increase for businesses. Effective January 1, 2024, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car […]
Posted on November 1, 2023 by Mary Ellen Schill
On November 1, 2023 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 2023 – $22,500 2024 – $23,000 $200,000 compensation limit 2023 – $330,000 […]
Posted on September 27, 2023 by Nicole L. Stangl
In today’s interconnected world, how to protect vital business assets such as key employees and confidential information is top of mind for businesses. Tools such as non-solicitation, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements are utilized as a method of protection for businesses. However, the changing legal landscape related to non-compete provisions has made it essential to be […]
More Insights...
