Rick Verstegen is a partner with Boardman & Clark LLP in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a member of the School Law Practice Group and the Labor and Employment Group at the firm. Rick has extensive experience advising and representing public and private employers on labor and employment matters that include investigations, wage and hour, leaves of absences, privacy, discrimination, records, immigration, labor relations, contracts, and handbooks. Rick regularly provides training on these issues, conducts compliance reviews, drafts and negotiates contracts, prepares opinions, analyzes legislation, and represents clients in various proceedings before state and federal agencies.
Partner with Boardman & Clark, LLP of Madison, Wisconsin
School Law Practice Group and Labor and Employment Group
Represents educational institutions in a variety of education law matters
Published many articles regarding education and employment law
Former president of the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association
Current member of the State Bar of Wisconsin
JD degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School
Employment law expert Richard Verstegen will identify the legal issues presented by restrictions on employee travel and personal activities. You will learn strategies to address risky conduct and keep your team safe.
What You'll Learn
What travel and activity risks have agencies identified?
What laws apply to off-duty conduct by employees?
How can employers monitor off-duty conduct, including travel?
What restrictions may employers place on travel and activities?
Employment law expert Richard Verstegen will identify the legal privacy issues presented by COVID-19 monitoring by employers. You will learn strategies to address risky employee behavior in your workplace.
What You'll Learn
What are the appropriate methods to monitor employee symptoms?
How can you monitor employee adherence to safety protocols?
May you request COVID-19 test results and other medical data?
How should you handle employee objections to providing health information?
May you discipline an employee who refuses to follow sanitization procedures?
Employment law expert Richard Verstegen will help you identify the key components, the laws that mandate certain provisions, and suggested changes based on current laws and post-pandemic workplace norms.
What You'll Learn
Laws that require employee handbook provisions
Essential components of any employee handbook
Suggested changes based on workplace safety and COVID-19
Best practices for drafting different individual sections
Employment law expert Richard Verstegen will explain unionization from the employer’s perspective. You will learn how to identify and respond to labor-organizing initiatives.
Topics Covered:
Why is employee interest in forming unions growing?
What are the signs your employees are organizing?
What laws cover unionization?
How do union campaigns work?
How should you respond to organizing activities?
What actions can you take legally? Which should you avoid?
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Thursday, March 30, 2023; 1:30 PM Eastern
Employment law expert Richard Verstegen will show you how to draft and monitor PIPs. You will learn how to avoid the legal consequences of non-compliance.
What You'll Learn
What are the elements of a lawful Performance Improvement Plan?
How can you notify employees of expectations and standards?
What are compliant monitoring methods?
How should you identify the consequences of an employee’s failure to improve?
How does a PIP relate to performance evaluations, warnings, and reprimands?
What are the most serious legal mistakes you should avoid?
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Tuesday, March 28, 2023; 1:30 PM Eastern
Employment law expert Rick Verstegen will outline the best practices for conducting background checks. You will learn how to navigate today’s legal restrictions without abandoning your organization’s commitment to safety and integrity.
What You'll Learn
How should you notify applicants you will conduct background checks?
What does the EEOC guidance mean for your policies?
What laws impact conducting background checks?
May you legally contact previous employers without authorization?
How should you conduct reference checks?
May you review the social media accounts of an applicant?
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Monday, April 3, 2023; 1:30 PM Eastern
Employment law expert Rick Verstegen will explain the complex legal issues impacting recordkeeping. You will learn practical solutions to skillfully avoid any legal issues that may arise.
Topics Covered:
What records must you retain, from job posting through termination?
How do requirements for medical records differ?
Is it better to store records in hard copy or electronically?
Who may have access to employee records?
How long should you keep records?
How can you protect your organization from identity theft liability?
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Friday, March 31, 2023; 3:00 PM Eastern
Employment law expert Rick Verstegen will explain the critical legal issues impacting employee evaluation and discipline. You will learn how to improve performance, dismiss ineffective team members, and avoid lawsuits.
What You'll Learn
How should you properly evaluate employees?
What are the best strategies for performance improvement plans?
What are the impermissible reasons for discharge?
Which standards impact discipline or discharge?
What practical tactics can resolve discipline or performance issues?
How can you use last chance or resignation agreements?
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Monday, April 24 - Thursday, April 27, 2023; 1:30 PM Eastern
Rick Verstegen, an employment law expert and practicing attorney, will increase your understanding of the law and give you practical advice. You will learn how to design, implement, and administer a compliant FMLA program.
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Wednesday, April 5, 2023; 3:00 PM Eastern
Employment law expert Rick Verstegen will explain the various legal and policy issues related to hiring employees. You will learn how to implement practices to build an extraordinary team of top talent without running afoul of the growing laws and regulations.
Topics Covered
What laws affect staffing?
What policies and handbook provisions should you have?
How should you handle interviews from remote locations?
Can you legally review candidates’ social media posts?
What questions are acceptable for applications and interviews?
