Find out the latest legal info on the Buelow Vetter Blog
We understand that the employment and labor law landscape is constantly evolving. For the latest insights into laws that can, and will, impact your organization, we encourage you to subscribe, so you never miss an important update.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS UPDATE: IRS Benefit Plan Limitations
Earlier today, the Internal Revenue Service issued the various retirement plan limitations for 2016. The most important numbers have not changed from 2015. Elective Deferral Limit—$18,000 Catch-Up Contributions—$6,000 415 (Total) Plan Limit—$53,000 Compensation Limit—$265,000 See an up-to-date chart that shows the historical limits from 2012 through 2016, and a reference to the IRS sources. For…
All E-mails May Not Be Student Records
Recently, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction issued an IDEA Complaint Decision (Decision 15-029, 2015) 115 LRP 31928, in which it determined that a parental request for all of their child’s education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not include any e-mails not within the student’s actual file. The DPI…
Review Weapons Policies in Light of Changes to Gun-Free School Zones Act
On June 25, 2015, Governor Walker signed a bill modifying the Gun-Free School Zones Act (Wis. Stat. § 948.605). The new law, which goes into effect today, modifies the Gun-Free School Zones Act to permit certain off-duty, out-of-state, and former law enforcement officers to possess firearms in school zones. The Gun-Free School Zones Act prohibits…
U.S. Supreme Court Highlights the Need to Review 401(k) Plan Fees
Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that highlights the need to review 401(k) plan fees. The case is Tibble v. Edison and it reinforces the fact that employers need to understand 401(k) plan fees, minimize 401(k) plan fees and monitor 401(k) plan investments. The Tibble v. Edison Case. Tibble v. Edison…
EEOC Proposed Wellness Regulations: Many Programs Would Be Allowed…With Some New Complications
On April 16, 2015, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) finally released proposed regulations that would allow many workplace wellness programs to operate without violating the Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”). As summarized in earlier Legal Updates, the EEOC filed several lawsuits last year alleging that some very common wellness programs violated the ADA…
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Final Rule for Federal Contractors Aimed at Non-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The Attorney General recently issued a legal opinion on whether fees can be charged for copies of public records, when the requester uses their own technology to make the copies. (OAG-12-14, 12/30/14). This new legal opinion addresses the fees that can be charged for copies of court documents maintained by the clerk of courts or…