Benefit Limits for 2021
Each year, the IRS sets new limits for High Deductible Health Plans, Health Savings Accounts, and Flexible Benefit Plans. Please see below for our ready reference chart setting forth the Benefits Limits for the 2021 tax year. Download Table 2021 2020 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Healthcare FSA max election (per year) (incl. LTD FSA) $2,750 […]
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 […]
Statewide Limits on Indoor Public Gatherings
On October 14, 2020, a Sawyer County district court temporarily blocked Governor Evers administration’s Emergency Order #3, which limits indoor public gatherings statewide. The Court will hear arguments on Monday, October 19, to decide whether to issue a permanent injunction that would permanently block enforcement of Emergency Order #3, unless a higher court overrules that […]
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 […]
WI Emergency Order #3 – Statewide Limits on Indoor Public Gatherings
Indoor public gatherings are limited statewide starting on October 8, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. and ending on November 6, 2020 under Emergency Order #3. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm issued the order on October 6, 2020. Emergency Order #3 restricts “public gatherings” to 25% or less of the established indoor […]
