Fair Employment/Wage and Hour (Equal Rights), Labor Law Training Topics

Fair Employment & Wage and Hour (Equal Rights)

Protected Leave Laws in Wisconsin
Provides an overview of the Wisconsin Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Bone Marrow and Organ Donor Leave Act, including; the nuts and bolts of determining eligibility for leave under the two laws; the duration of leave entitlements under state laws; comparison to similar provisions under the federal FMLA and examination of how the laws interact; an overview of the Equal Rights Division's process for adjudicating claims under the state laws; examples of some common mistakes employees and employers make; discussion of developments relating to the Bone Marrow Donor Law, including any rules, agency interpretations, or cases that emerge.

Demystifying Arrest and Conviction Record Protections Under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law
The Wisconsin Fair Employment Law's (WFEL) provisions prohibiting discrimination based on arrest record or conviction record can be challenging to follow. This topic seeks to clarify some of those challenges and will give the audience a better understanding of the definitions of arrest record and conviction record; the statements and questions that are acceptable in job postings and applications; the impact of failure to reveal all convictions on job applications; the substantial relationship test, lack of bondability, the Onalaska defense; and exceptions related to specific industries. We will also discuss new statutory requirements related to licensing agencies.

Preparing for Fair Employment Hearings
Provides basic information about current Equal Rights Division hearing practices and procedures in contested cases, including settlements, notices of hearings and responses to notices, "discovery" (information exchange), subpoenas for witnesses and documents, and appeals.

Avoiding "Loaded" Employment Application and Interview Questions that May Discriminate
Asks you to consider, when was the last time you took a good look at that application form you’re using? What about interview questions? Are some of the questions discriminatory or interpreted as discriminatory? This topic looks at how the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law applies to the recruitment process and offers alternative questions to help avoid discrimination when gathering information needed to help choose the right candidate for the job.

Workplace Harassment
Provides information about harassment under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law (WFEL). It includes a discussion of sexual harassment and harassment based on other characteristics such as race, color, national origin and sexual orientation. We use case law to illustrate concepts, emphasize the importance of strong company policies prohibiting unlawful harassment, and provide suggestions for handling and investigating complaints.

Fair Employment Law Basics
Offers a straight-forward look at the basics of the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law (WFEL). Introduces the audience to Wisconsin's law prohibiting discrimination in employment and serves as a foundation for further discussion. Also addresses topics such as prohibited actions by employers, groups protected under the law, employing individuals with disabilities, on-the-job harassment, dealing with a WFEL complaint, and other concerns which the audience may raise.

Wisconsin's Wage & Hour Laws: Basics & Beyond
Focuses on issues related to overtime, hours of work, wage payment requirements, and minimum wage. This topic also includes discussion of the employment of minors, as well as information on topics such as the Business Closing/Mass Layoff Notification law and the open personnel records law.

Labor Standards Combo: State and Federal Wage and Hour Laws
This joint presentation from DWD's Equal Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division focuses on issues related to overtime, hours of work, wage payment requirements, and minimum wage. In addition, there will be an overview of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).