Tread Carefully on Independent Contractor Classifications
Employers should carefully review their practice of classifying a worker as an independent contractor. The increased scrutiny over worker misclassifications is spreading across the country, as states are grappling with how to attract a modern workforce and prevent employers from misclassifying workers to avoid some of the burdens of conventional employment. California is a stark […]
U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on LGBTQIA Workplace Protections
The United States Supreme Court recently announced that it will hear three cases that address whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act applies to workplace discrimination claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Two consolidated cases from the 2nd Circuit (CT, NY, and VT) and 11th Circuit (AL, FL, and GA) involve discrimination […]
Hannah Joins the Team
We are excited to announce the addition of Hannah L. Renfro, J.D. to the Lake Effect HR & Law team! Hannah has over 15 years of experience representing clients on a wide range of matters, including employment litigation; crisis and communication management; governmental relations; compliance and risk management; strategies for hiring and retaining staff; and […]
You’ve Got Mail… Gulp!
You’ve Got Mail… Gulp! This March, employers around the country began receiving letters, the likes of which they have not seen in 7 years. These letters are not so affectionately known as “Social Security No Match Letters,” but are officially referred to as “Employer Correction Request Notices (EDCOR)” by the Social Security Administration. A sample can […]
Trump Era Proposed Overtime Rule: Hurry Up and Wait
Trump Era Proposed Overtime Rule: Hurry Up and Wait On March 7, 2019, the Department of Labor released a Proposed Overtime Rule that would increase the salary level threshold for positions that are exempt from the overtime provisions of the FLSA from the current $23,660 per year ($455 per week) to $35,308 ($679 per week). […]
How Do I Appreciate Thee? Let Me Count the Ways. . .
How Do I Appreciate Thee? Let Me Count the Ways. . . It is the first Friday in March, and that means it is National Employee Appreciation Day. Today presents a good opportunity for employers to stop and review the steps they are taking to make their employees feel valued in the workplace. Employees who […]
When Cupid Strikes in the Workplace
Whether HR knows about it or not, romantic relationships happen in the workplace. According to a Vault.com annual office romance survey, more than half of American professionals say they have participated in an office romance. Of those who have dated a coworker, 16% married. In my days in the hospitality industry, I saw couples live […]
It’s Not Exactly a Snow Day
It’s Not Exactly a Snow Day Here in Wisconsin, the USPS is not delivering mail, schools, government offices, malls and restaurants are closed, and UW has cancelled classes…Nobody is going outside to work or play in -50° F wind chills, except for those who are keeping us warm and safe! If we aren’t going to […]
New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions As we turn the calendar page to January 2019, it’s the perfect time to review your company’s HR policies and practices to make sure this year is an even better one for your employees and your organization as a whole. Lake Effect HR Advisors and Employment Lawyers are here to support and […]
Tick This Off Your To Do List: Anti-Harassment Training
Tick This Off Your To Do List: Anti-Harassment Training Since Harvey Weinstein had his great fall, nearly every one of our Client Employers have said to us, “I know we really need to schedule some anti-harassment for our staff.” Then, work gets busy, and then the quarter is wrapping up, and then a big project […]
