Hello GMA SHRM Members,

As I’m writing this, the sun has FINALLY come out from behind the clouds, and I’m hoping this finally portends the official beginning of SPRING! Once Memorial Day passes, summer pretty much takes over, as everyone gets busy traveling, so, I wanted to make sure I shared some upcoming events GMA SHRM is hosting that you might want to register for and note on your calendar.

Later this month our 2023-2024 Board of Directors slate will be emailed to our membership for a formal vote and approval. Each year, as part of our formal succession planning process, we solicit nominations for new Board members, as well as offer an opportunity for those currently seated to continue in their positions or move on to other Board positions. Please look for the 2023-2024 GMA SHRM Board slate email later this month!

On June 20th we will hold another “Meet, Greet, and Eat” at Grace’s Coffee in Verona. This is a fantastic opportunity to share stories, eat lunch and meet fellow GMA SHRM members in a casual environment. Learn more about the event and register to attend here.

June 11 – 14 is the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition. This year it will be held in Las Vegas! I hope many of you will be attending this year – it’s a phenomenal showcase of everything human resources! Of course, our Roundtable discussions will continue throughout the month of June as well, to address HR topics that are top of mind – you have the ability to brainstorm a new idea, implement or hear feedback from other GMA SHRM members, or listen to others regarding their latest triumphs and challenges. If you haven’t attended one of these yet, I urge you to attend one this summer, regardless of your HR specialization – they can be extremely beneficial.

I’m really excited about the upcoming programming and networking offerings we have available this Spring; I hope to see many of you at our events.

All my best,

Dana Denny, IPMA-CP
GMA SHRM Chapter President
dana_denny@hotmail.com. 

Legal Update – Unemployment Benefits Liability and the “Gig Economy”

Submitted from Mai Chao Chang, Storm Larson & Brian P. Goodman, GMA SHRM Programming Committee Member, and Attorneys at Boardman & Clark LLP, a Platinum Partner
 

Mai Chao

Storm Larson

Brian P. Goodman

A recent decision from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals clarifies who qualifies as an “employee” for purposes of employers paying unemployment taxes and employees receiving unemployment insurance benefits. In Amazon Logistics, Inc. v. LIRC, the court of appeals held that Amazon did not meet its burden of proving that its “delivery partners” qualified as independent contractors. They were thus determined to be employees for the purposes of unemployment insurance benefits. Amazon was also assessed a significant unemployment tax bill of over $200,000, including penalties and interest.

In Wisconsin, individuals who are paid for performing work are presumed to be employees for unemployment compensation purposes. Employers can then rebut that presumption by showing that an individual satisfied a two-part test, each part containing a variety of factors, in order to classify the individual as an independent contractor.  The second part of the test requires the employer to meet 6 factors in a 9-factor test. Those factors include, among other things, looking at whether the individual holds themselves out publicly as being in an independent business, operates under multiple contracts, furnishes their own equipment, and incurs the main expenses associated with the work being performed.

The court of appeals held that Amazon was only able to show 5 of the 9 factors and thus failed to meet its burden. Among other factors, Amazon could not prove that the delivery partners held themselves out publicly as being in the delivery business, nor could it demonstrate that the delivery partners operated under multiple contracts.  This case is a good reminder that employers must conduct a fact-intensive inquiry into whether an individual performing services for an employer truly qualifies as an independent contractor for unemployment compensation purposes.  
 

Volunteer Appreciation Event with The Mallards!

June 7, 2023
The Duck Pond - Warner Park

We love our volunteers and want to show our appreciation with a free ticket for you to see Mallards baseball at the Duck Pond!

Bring your friends and family for only $22(soda)/$29(beer) each!

Volunteer and guest tickets include reserved seat plus all you can eat and drink pregame tailgate in the GMA SHRM section of the right field tent.  

Program Information and Registration

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SHRM2023 - The SHRM Annual Conference

June 11-14, 2023
Las Vegas & Virtual

 

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 Meet, Greet, & Eat

June 20, 2023

Share stories, interests and have some laughs over coffee!  A great way to connect, gripe and celebrate with your HR peeps that "get it"!

Registration Required - Register here!

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August Professional Development Summit

August 15, 2023
Alliant Energy Center

Focus:  Recruitment; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Session 1   Hiring to Fit Your Culture
Session 2     Foster Healthy Conflict to Create More Inclusion and Innovation

Program Information and Registration

                            

 

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Roundtables Continue on Zoom in 2023!

Join us for these virtual discussions facilitated by members!

During Roundtables, members discuss their emerging HR challenges and when possible, others offer possible solutions, support, and resources. Come with those questions top of mind for your organization, offer your own experience and best practices, or simply join to network with others by using the registration links below.

Roundtables are designed for human resource professionals who are interested in sharing their ideas and experiences in a confidential environment. It is expected that what members share in these roundtables will stay within the roundtable. We encourage members to exchange contact information and reach out to each other outside of these meetings to expand on the discussions.

Find out more or register for Roundtables!
 
Membership is required to join Roundtables so if you're not a member, join us or reach out to learn more!

 

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