Like most of the planet, I’m getting pretty tired of the pandemic. Almost all of Wisconsin is still considered to be in high community transmission and the CDC recommends still being masked in public indoor settings. But, at least we’re no longer confined to our homes. For me, working from home last year was tough. […]
At the end of May, the CDC issued new guidelines for COVID. Basically, the recommendations say that if you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in almost any activity without a mask. If you have not been vaccinated, the CDC still advises you to wear a mask unless you are basically outdoors with members of […]
When our law firm built our new office, we included a really nice break room. We have three microwaves in it, two refrigerators and a big table to eat at. In our old building, a bunch of us crowded around a small table to eat together, so we wanted to be sure we had plenty […]
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thought to how they will prepare the workplace for the safe return of employees now that the Safer-At-Home Orders are no longer in effect.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 […]