President Trump Signs Massive Stimulus Package: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
On Friday March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) into law. The CARES Act is an 880 page economic stimulus package worth approximately $2 trillion that includes a relief intended to aid individuals, businesses, and governmental entities during the COVID-19 pandemic its associated economic consequences. This […]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Leave Notices
On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter. The FFCRA established two new leaves of absence for employees arising out of or related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave. This leave is available to […]
Impact of COVID-19 on Pending Litigation
Public and private sector entities with pending court litigation or pending discrimination complaints/charges are questioning how COVID-19 will impact their cases. Initially, the Wisconsin circuit courts determined how to address COVID-19 concerns at the circuit court level. This led to inconsistent practices among circuit courts. On March 22, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued several […]
Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Benefits in the Wake of COVID-19
Claims for Unemployment Insurance benefits in Wisconsin spiked 1,111% this past week as a number of businesses elected to voluntarily close or were forced to close (at least temporarily) in response to COVID-19. Employees who are laid off or whose weekly hours or wages are reduced as a result of COVID-19 are potentially eligible for […]
Instructional Hour and Testing Waivers
Wisconsin’s schools continue to be under closure orders from the Governor and Department of Health Services due to COVID-19 concerns. It is increasingly likely that many, if not most, school districts will not be able to meet state law mandates for instructional hours and pupil assessments for the 2019-2020 school year. Many school officials have […]
Legal Update: Special Education and Related Issues During School Closure Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) ordered all public and private schools closed from March 18, 2020, through April 6, 2020, due to the health emergency caused by COVID-19. DHS extended the school closures on March 17, 2020, for the “duration of the health emergency or until a subsequent order lifts this specific restriction.” […]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Leave Provisions
On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter. The FFCRA will become effective within 15 days and remains in effect until December 31, 2020. The FFCRA is intended to assist the country with the COVID-19 pandemic. This Legal Update will highlight two […]
School Board Meetings During the “Mass Gathering” Prohibition
Yesterday, March 17, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, under the direction of Governor Evers, issued Emergency Order #5 (“the Order”). The Order is entitled “Prohibiting Mass Gatherings of 10 People or More”. The Order then does what its title suggests and places a “moratorium” on gatherings that are intended or likely to bring together more […]
Seventh Circuit Issues Favorable Decision for Employers in Retaliation Case
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, whose jurisdiction includes Wisconsin, recently issued a decision in a case involving an employee’s claims of retaliation by her public employer under Title VII. Robertson v. Dep’t of Health Servs., 949 F.3d 371 (7th Cir. 2020). The employee claimed that she was denied a promotion despite […]
