Dane County Face Covering Emergency Order

Lake Effect Mask Order Blog

Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) has issued a new Public Health Order, effective August 19, 2021 through September 16, 2021. The new order requires individuals to wear face masks indoors, employers to develop a policy providing and requiring face masks, and organizations to post a sign mandating face masks indoors. To address the […]

From: Wisconsin Technology Council

Sheila Conroy weighs in on some of the legal considerations involved with this issue. Source: InsideWis: To compel worker vaccinations or not: Businesses may be forced to choose | Wisconsin Technology Council

CDC Issues Updated Guidance on COVID-19

Lake Effect CDC Guidance

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a telebriefing (transcript to be uploaded when available) today at 2:00 p.m. CST to provide updated guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic in light of the prevalence of the highly contagious Delta variant. They key points of the CDC’s updated guidance include: New data shows […]

Maintaining a Respectful Workplace Post-COVID

Lake Effect Respectful Workplace

While some organizations have been on site through the pandemic, others have returned in recent months. Many others are planning a more robust employee return to office in the coming weeks. As more employees return to work in the office, employers may need to reestablish and remind employees about expectations of workplace conduct to foster […]

Increased Fines for Not Posting Employment Posters

Lake Effect HR & Law

The federal government recently increased the fines employers may face for violating federal employment law posting requirements. Going forward, the potential posting fines are: Family and Medical Leave Act – $178 Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law – $13,653 Employee Polygraph Protection Act – $21,663 EEO is the Law – $576 Employers should also […]

HR Reporting Updates

Lake Effect HR reporting issues

There have been two important employer reporting updates for Human Resource practitioners. First, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced an extension of the deadline for submission of 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 Data Collection to Monday, August 23, 2021. Please see Lake Effect’s prior blog on EEO-1 reporting requirements for more information. Second, […]

President Biden Signs Law Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday

Lake Effect Juneteenth Federal Holiday

On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed into law Juneteenth National Independence Day, making June 19 the 12th federal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, almost three years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1862. Most federal employees will observe the holiday on Friday, June 18 this […]

Long Awaited OSHA Guidance to Continue Workplace Health and Safety Measures

Lake Effect HR & Law OSHA guidance

On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) with a very narrow scope, focused on the healthcare industry. Fortunately, OSHA also updated its January 29, 2021 guidance for all employers to reflect the increasing prevalence of vaccinations and the lifting of mask orders around the country. […]

Mask mandates end, but employers have options

Lake Effect Employment Law

With mask orders lifting around the country, many employers are left wondering what to do in their own workplace. In most communities, employers have several options, including the following: Remove all masking requirements in your workplace or place of business Require all employees and visitors to wear masks at all times Allow fully vaccinated employees […]

Wisconsin Communities’ Face Covering Requirements Expiring

Lake Effect HR & Law

Outagamie County, Dane County, and the city of Milwaukee have joined the growing list of communities across the country that are lifting their mask and other COVID-related public health orders. Outagamie County lifted its face mask requirements on May 13, 2021. Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) announced on May 18, 2021 that its […]