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 (link to profile).
Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services through its offices in Wausau, Eau Claire, and Green Bay, Wisconsin. A full-service law firm, over 40 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.
Posted on April 3, 2020 by Amy E. Ebeling
An updated PPP application has been released and it is our understanding that this updated application is the ONLY application that will be accepted by lending institutions. The updated form can be accessed here. The PPP loan is also FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE so submit your applications as soon as possible beginning today, April 3rd, 2020. We […]
Posted on April 2, 2020 by Amy E. Ebeling and Mary Ellen Schill
The SBA released the Interim Final Rule announcing more information on the Paycheck Protection Program. The Interim Final Rule provides some program clarifications, but also provides some program changes. Note, the applicable interest rate is now 1%. There is also more information on how to calculate payroll costs to determine the maximum loan amount including examples. […]
Posted on April 2, 2020 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
Yesterday we issued an ealert (click here) that advised you the Department of Labor finally issued its detailed regulations for the FFCRA. Upon closer review, we have found the DOL expanded the definition of “Child Care Provider” for both the Emergency Paid Sick leave and the Expanded FMLA to include “family member or friend, who […]
Posted on April 1, 2020 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
Today the DOL released detailed regulations with answers to nearly every question we have had over the past two weeks regarding this law. While we are still reviewing these regulations, there are two important details that had so far NOT been answered before now: First, the DOL specifically states that the paid leave under category […]
Posted on April 1, 2020 by Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “FFCRA”) provides certain eligible employers with refundable tax credits that reimburse those employers for the cost of paying the paid sick and family leave wages as required by FFCRA. After almost two weeks, the IRS has released extensive guidance on the refundable tax credits, including 66 FAQ questions. […]
Posted on March 31, 2020 by Amy E. Ebeling and Mary Ellen Schill
The SBA and Treasury moments ago released updated information on the new Paycheck Protection Program created by the CARES Act. The program is specifically designed to help small businesses (less than 500 employees) keep their workforce employed by providing an SBA guaranteed loan. The program also provides for forgiveness of the loan proceeds that are […]
Posted on March 27, 2020 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill, Benjamin E. Streckert, Amy E. Ebeling and Andrew P. Raymonds
After much negotiation over the past few days, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) into law, a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at providing critical economic relief to Americans affected in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Big Picture With a combination of direct payments, grants, loans […]
Posted on March 27, 2020 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
Earlier this week we sent you a link to the DOL website with 14 FAQs regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Those FAQs were not earth-shattering but NOW we have 22 more FAQs with very good insight on several topics, documentation (you CAN require it), and whether the leave is available for employees […]
Posted on March 25, 2020 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
Today the DOL issued a notice employers subject to the FFCRA must post prior to April 1, 2020. A copy of the poster can be found here. The FAQ regarding the poster can be found here. Ruder Ware’s COVID-19 Focus Team doing all we can to keep you up to date as this situation evolves, please […]
Posted on March 25, 2020 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill and Amy E. Ebeling
Late yesterday, the Department of Labor issued its first FAQ at regarding the FFCRA. In that FAQ the DOL specifically states: Question: Can my employer deny me paid sick leave if my employer gave me paid leave for a reason identified in the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act prior to the Act going into effect? […]
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