Dear GMA SHRM Members,

I hope you’re all enjoying the summer, finding time to make some great memories, and having some summer fun! As we prepare for fall, I invite you to join us for some enriching professional development events, networking, and other value-add opportunities. Here’s a quick highlight of some of the great events coming up this fall:

• August 27th Meet, Eat & Greet at Craftsman Table & Tap
• September 17th: Professional Development Summit  on Emotional Intelligence and Succession
• September 25th GMA SHRM 101 - member welcome and information event.

GMA SHRM produces great programs and at this time of year we look ahead to 2025.  GMA SHRM has opened its 2025 Call for Presentations!   Please share this link with anyone you've seen or in your organization that would be a great presenter for GMA SHRM.  www.gmashrm.org/BeaSpeaker 

By popular demand, we are bringing back a popular member promotion!  Our Refer a Member membership drive allows new members to save $25 off thier first year dues and gives you a chance to win a $200 gift card.  Check out the article below for more information.

Also, earlier this month, many of the GMA SHRM board members traveled to attend the WI SHRM Leadership Conference in Green Lake, WI. This conference provides volunteer leaders from chapters across the state the opportunity to network and share best practices, helping us all find ways we can continue to strengthen our chapters and provide GMA members the best support and experience possible.

Last, but certainly not least, our GMA Annual Compensation Survey will be coming soon.  We know that local compensation benchmarking information can be challenging to find, so we are partnering with Gallagher & Associates again this year. Watch for more details around this great opportunity and be sure to participate to gain access to these valuable market insights!

I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events and hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

Warm regards,


Laura Bermudo, President
Greater Madison Area SHRM Chapter
lbermudo@myhaus.com / 608.383.4568

Legal Update – Does the WFEA Protect Against Discrimination Based on Municipal Offenses?

Submitted from Storm Larson, Aiyanna Simms, & Mai Chao Chang, Attorneys at Boardman & Clark LLP, a Platinum Partner
 

Storm Larson

Mai Chao Chang

Aiyanah Simms

On June 17, 2024, the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to review an important employment law case, Oconomowoc Area School District v. Cota, which involves arrest and conviction record discrimination. In the case, the Oconomowoc Area School District terminated two of its employees, the Cota brothers, because they were issued a municipal citation for theft, and the municipal prosecutor agreed to drop the charges if the Cota brothers agreed to pay the district $500.

The Cota brothers challenged their terminations as unlawful “arrest record” employment discrimination under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (WFEA) because the district relied on the citation for the termination decision. According to the Cota brothers, the citation and the information regarding the citation being dropped constituted arrest records. State law prohibits terminations based solely on arrest records.  The law only permits employers to suspend employees based on arrest records, and even then, only if the crime leading to the arrest is substantially related to the individual’s job.

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ultimately held that the WFEA does not prohibit employment discrimination based upon civil, municipal offenses and concluded that the Wisconsin Legislature intended the WFEA’s arrest record provision to cover only criminal offenses. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will likely clarify the scope of the WFEA’s protections against arrest record discrimination as they relate to municipal and civil offenses when they review the case on appeal.

Importantly, for Madison employers, it is unknown if the Madison Equal Opportunities Division will adopt the conclusion of the Court of Appeals (or even the Wisconsin Supreme Court) with respect to the application of the Madison Equal Opportunities Ordinance.  That ordinance is separate and distinct from the WFEA.  Therefore, employers with employees in the city of Madison should be extra cautious before terminating an employee based on a citation or municipal forfeiture. 

 

Diversity Observances in August and September

Submitted by Mary Vesely, GMA SHRM Director of Diversity 

Article of the Month:  In honor of Disability Independence Day, check this ADA Anniversary Toolkit: https://adaanniversary.org/ideas-celebrate-ada/.

August and September Observances

 

Use these observances for team engagement! Have fun, celebrate diversity, and take this opportunity to share stories and learn more about your teammates.  

**NEW – Check out our 2024 Diversity Calendar on our DEI Resources page.

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