School Districts are Reminded of School Safety Plan Requirements
As the new school year gets into full swing following the Labor Day weekend, school district officials are working feverishly to assure compliance with the numerous obligations arising out of state and federal law mandates. The volume of notices and disclosures that school districts are required to provide to students, parents, and various state and […]
School Officials’ Role in Parental Disputes
It is not uncommon for students’ parents to try and put school districts and their staff in the middle of custody and other parental disputes. These situations are often uncomfortable for school officials and can threaten the school’s relationship with the students involved. School staff are trained to educate, not to navigate family disputes and […]
Decision Awards Employee Penalty Pay in Workers Compensation Claim
Wisconsin Winters and Workers Compensation – not a great combination. Unfortunately, Winter in Wisconsin involves potentially treacherous conditions and injuries, such as slip and fall injuries. Typically, when employees are injured in the course of their employment, the Workers Compensation insurance carrier handles the claims, including the medical expenses as well as income replacement in […]
Reminder Regarding Virtual Board Meetings
As we experience yet another wave of concern regarding COVID-19, coupled with the concurrent flu and cold seasons in Wisconsin, some governmental bodies have again chosen to meet virtually in certain circumstances. Given this reality, a quick reminder of the Wisconsin Open Meetings law and the guidance from Wisconsin Attorney General on the issue is […]
Employer COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Does Not Apply to Wisconsin Public Entities
Earlier this year, President Biden announced that he intended to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a rule to require that employers with more than 100 employees ensure that their employees are either vaccinated against COVID-19, or that unvaccinated employees provide a weekly negative test in order to continue to work. […]
Employers May Wish to Reevaluate Traditional Independent Contractor Designations
Earlier this year, the Biden Administration rescinded a Trump-era regulatory initiative that would have modified the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) criteria for evaluating whether an employer should classify an individual as an independent contractor or an employee. The Trump Administration’s regulation was published January 7, 2021, and scheduled to take effect March 8, 2021. […]
Managing Educator Shortages With Foreign Professionals
Virtually every sector of the U.S. economy is currently struggling with a lack of qualified and willing individuals to fill vacant employment positions. Education is no exception to this reality. Wisconsin school districts report high levels of available positions in teaching and administration, while college and university education programs report low enrollment. As a result, […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision Invalidates Governor’s Public Health Emergency But Not School District Mask Requirements
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, invalidated Governor Evers’ public health emergency declarations on March 31, 2021. The Court’s decision in Fabick v. Evers, 2020AP1718-OA, March 31, 2021 declared a series of public health emergency declarations invalid. The case was originally brought to the Court challenging the validity of Governor Evers’ July 30, […]
Biden Administration Takes Immediate Action Revising U.S. Immigration Policy
As is typical, a new Presidential administration signals a new ideological position with respect to, among other topics, the United States’ policies and priorities relative to the nation’s immigration system. During President Trump’s presidency his administration sought to reverse course on much of the immigration policies initiated during President Obama’s Administration. Now that President Biden […]
EEOC Updates Guidance During Ongoing Pandemic
The COVID-19 virus has continued to have a widespread impact. In light of that unfortunate reality, employers must carefully balance maintaining a workforce and minimizing the presence of the virus in their workplaces. Part of this process involves evaluating an employer’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with […]
