‘Tis the Season
This year has taught us lessons we could not have imagined a year ago: lessons on time management, work-life integration, and overcoming professional and personal hurdles. Even in the best of times, the end of the calendar year can be extremely busy for many organizations. For individuals, this time of year also brings hectic schedules […]
Employee Holiday Travel during COVID-19
Traditionally, November and December are months when employees take more time off to travel and/or spend time with family and friends for holidays. This year, employers and employees need to consider the health risks involved in traveling and group gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reality is that employees’ increased exposure to COVID-19 can […]
Governor Evers Recommends Continued COVID Mitigation Efforts
On November 10, 2020, Governor Evers presented a public address and signed Executive Order #94, strongly advising that all residents and businesses continue following stringent COVID-mitigation efforts. While this order has no enforcement capability, it serves as a reminder to minimize interactions outside of households. For businesses, it provides no new restrictions, but it reiterates […]
Employees Must Notify Their Employers of Positive COVID-19 Result
According to a November 4, 2020 blog post, Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) will no longer notify employers that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19 unless the employee works for a school, or a childcare, healthcare, or congregate living facility. Instead, employees are responsible for notifying their employer if they tested positive, and […]
Close Contact in the Workplace: Think 6-15-24-48
The CDC has updated its definition of “close contact” and it is now referred to as the “6-15-24-48 analysis.” The updated guidance defines a “close contact” as someone who was: within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from two days (48 hours) […]
OSHA Issues Guidance on Reporting Work-Related COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths
On September 30, 2020, OSHA published new guidance on employers’ obligations to report employee in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities resulting from work-related cases of COVID-19. Employers must report hospitalizations with 24 hours: In order to be reportable, an employee’s in-patient hospitalization due to COVID-19 must occur within 24 hours of exposure to the virus at work. […]
Annual Benefit Notice Requirements
As employers prepare for their annual benefit renewal process, they should also note the compliance notices that must be provided to employees. Lake Effect has compiled a list of benefit related notices for employers to review. Some notices should be distributed to new hires during orientation, and some need to be distributed to current employees annually. […]
UI Notice Required at Time of Separation of Employment
Beginning November 2, 2020, Wisconsin employers must notify employees at the time of separation from employment of the availability of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Notice of unemployment rights can be given to employees by email, text message, letter, or by providing the DWD printed poster in person or by mail. The content of the notice […]
Wisconsin Judge Reinstates Emergency Order Restricting Indoor Gatherings
Update 11/06/2020 The Governor’s Emergency Order #3, which limited indoor gatherings throughout Wisconsin, expired on November 6, 2020. On the same day, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a lower court should have issued an injunction blocking enforcement of the Emergency Order. Update 10/26/2020 The statewide indoor capacity restrictions in Emergency Order #3 are not […]
Review Employee Voting Rights As Elections Near
As we near the end of October, federal, state, and local elections are right around the corner. It is a good time for employers to review relevant policies and legal obligations towards employees who seek time off to vote or otherwise participate in the election process. Under Wisconsin law, an employee who is entitled to […]
