Last week we had some pretty exciting news about the advancements of possible vaccines for COVID-19. Studies for treatments from Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech have been shown to be 95% effective against infection. Dr. Anthony Fauci was extremely pleased, as he would have been happy with 70% efficacy. Results have been submitted to the U.S. […]
With Election Day less than a week away, it is a great time to review Wisconsin law allowing employees time off from work to vote on Election Day. Wisconsin’s law on this is found at Wisconsin Statute §6.76, which provides the following rights and obligations: Eligibility: To be eligible for time off for voting, an […]
In last week’s blog article, we addressed several issues that employers will want to consider as they return employees to the workplace. This article continues that thinking by reviewing considerations and legal issues that may arise as employers: (i) confront COVID-19 related absences; (ii) have a need to reduce hours or require employees to take […]
Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause serious injury or death. Employers should be giving thought to how they will prepare the workplace for the safe return of employees now that the Safer-At-Home Orders are no longer in effect. An employer’s return-to-work plan will depend […]
No fooling. If you are a private employer with fewer than 500 employees, you may be required to offer the new sick time and emergency family medical leave benefits available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (and to obtain the payroll tax credits available to recoup the costs of these benefits). This is true […]
In order for an employee to be classified as exempt from payment of overtime, the employee must be paid at a specific salary level and must meet legally specified duties tests under both state and federal law. Last September, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule which will increase the salary requirements that […]
A few weeks ago I wrote about Jackie Coogan, the child actor who was fleeced out of his $4 million of earnings by his mother and stepfather. His story led to the passage of the California Child Actor’s Bill, which became known as “Coogan Law.” It requires that employers of children in the entertainment industry […]
When I was in high school, my dad’s office rented a vacant building next door to hold excess files. A few buddies and I were tasked with moving all the files out of the office’s basement and into the vacant building. Carrying on the tradition, my kids both worked at our office this summer, as […]
When employers are burned by a former employee who starts a competitive business, solicits key customers, and/or uses confidential information gained from the former employment, they may seek resolve by requiring their employees to sign restrictive covenant agreements (commonly known as “non-compete agreements”). These agreements are often drafted, signed, and then filed away in the […]
Several months ago, I wrote a blog article on the #Metoo Movement and sexual harassment in the workplace. Clients often ask about romantic relationships in the workplace. Are these unlawful? What are the risks? Well, that depends on the situation. If the relationship is truly consensual, then it would not run afoul of the federal […]