Employee Benefits | Davis|Kuelthau, s.c.

Employers – 100% COBRA (or State Continuation) Premium Payment Required as of April 1, 2021

Mar 31, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) significantly impacts employers who have terminated an employee or reduced the hours of any employee. As of April 1st, 100% of premiums for COBRA or state continuation coverage must be paid by the employer. This is a federally supported subsidy. The federal government will reimburse employers dollar for dollar against their quarterly payroll tax obligations....

35th Annual DBE Workshop and Secretary’s Golden Shovel Awards

Feb 25, 2021

Davis|Kuelthau Employment and Litigation attorney, Laurie E. Meyer, has been invited to speak at the 35th Annual DBE Workshop and Secretary’s Golden Shovel Awards. She will present, Changes to Medical Leave in the COVID Age, a virtual program on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 11:30 AM CST. The Annual DBE Workshop and Secretary’s Golden Shovel Awards is Wisconsin’s premier conference for small,...

Congress Declines to Extend Mandated FFCRA Leave Beyond December 31 But Provides Tax Credit to Employers Who Voluntarily Extend Paid Leave

Dec 23, 2020

Robert W. Burns & Laurie E. Meyer

Note: This client update is based on the stimulus bill passed by Congress and sent to the President for signature earlier this week. This bill is not law until the President signs the legislation, and recent news reports suggest that President Trump finds some portions of the stimulus bill objectionable. We will continue to monitor the status of this legislation and will report promptly when the...

New Employer Notification Requirement to Employees of Unemployment Benefit Rights

Oct 16, 2020

Wisconsin Employers mark your calendar. As of November 2, 2020, all employers covered by Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) law must provide employees with written notice regarding the availability of UI benefits upon a change in employment status. The new requirement applies when work hours are reduced, layoff, furlough, or separation – temporary or permanent. This new requirement was...

“Health Care Providers” Under the FFCRA: Department of Labor Revises the Regulation and Focuses the Field of Employees Eligible for Leave

Sep 25, 2020

By: Anne V. O'Meara, Laurie E. Meyer, and Anthony J. Steffek On September 11, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) released its second interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The new DOL rule, which took effect on September 16, revised the original rule’s definition of “health care provider” to provide up to twelve weeks of paid leave to an expanded field of...

Given Remote and Hybrid Re-Opening of Schools, When Is a School “Closed” and When Can Employees Take Expanded FMLA? Department of Labor Issues Updated Guidance

Aug 28, 2020

Employers may be expecting an increase in requests for Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) leave as the new school year is upon us. But many employers may have questions about when and under what circumstances an employee can qualify for FFCRA leave, given the varying ways that schools “reopen.” Some schools are beginning the year with fully remote learning, and others are attempting...

New State Relief Bill Marks Fundamental Change in Workers’ Compensation Law for “First Responders”

Apr 16, 2020

By: Bruce B. Deadman Some media outlets, commentators and business organizations have expressed concern that as they return employees to work, employers may have potential liability on a variety of fronts. This came true for employers who have “first responders” in an important provision of the coronavirus relief package signed into law by Governor Evers on April 15. To collect workers’...

IRS Issues Strict Rules and Documentation Requirements for Required Paid Leave Credit, Launches Employee Retention Credit

Apr 1, 2020

By: Bruce B. Deadman and Laurie E. Meyer Yesterday the IRS took two actions which have an immediate impact on employers regarding what documentation they must keep in order to get a refundable tax credit for their employees’ paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and how businesses may qualify for a tax credit of up to $10,000 for regular wages paid to employees...

Claiming Tax Credits For Paid Leave Under The Emergency Family And Medical Leave Act And The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

Mar 26, 2020

By: Mark G. Kmiecik and James M. Kalny The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“Act”) provides two new refundable payroll tax credits (“tax credits”) for employers providing paid emergency sick leave or paid FMLA, including tax relief for self-employed individuals. As written, however, the Act is not practical as to these tax credits, since an employer would not be reimbursed until some...

Employer Guidance: Preparing for a Positive COVID-19 Test Among Employees

Mar 23, 2020

By: Abby S. Busler As the pandemic escalates, businesses are adapting and reacting to the changing times. It is likely that employers will have employees test positive with COVID-19 within the next few weeks and months. The positive tests will create employee absenteeism, changes in patterns of commerce and potential interruptions of supply/delivery. Many of you are wondering, what must you...

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