Professionally Speaking
Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.
Therapy – Physical, Occupational and Psychological...who needs it? by Kathy Weaver, BBA of Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin 920.730.8833 As we contemplate the assets therapy has to offer, we must first understand the importance of what healing means to our daily life. Happiness and contentment are a few words that come to mind when I think of a healthy life. However, when life becomes inflicted with pain, our first instinct is to ignore it; the pain will subside. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Whether life tosses us trauma or situational incidents, we must grab hold and focus on alleviating the pain and getting back to a happy, content life – we must heal. At Hand to Shoulder Center our subspecialty trained surgeons work closely with the therapists to provide top-notch clinical and rehabilitation treatment. Fifteen of the 20 therapists at Hand to Shoulder Center are Certified Hand Therapists. A Certified
Hand Therapist, or CHT, is a therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience and 4,000 hours or more of direct practice in hand and upper extremity therapy, which includes the wrist, elbow and shoulder. All therapists display specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment by merging occupational and physical therapy theory and practice combining comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper extremity with function and activity. Although hands and arms may seem like a small part of the anatomy, an injured hand or arm is not a minor injury. In non-injured hands and arms, the bones are aligned precisely for ease of movement. When one or more of the bones are damaged, the entire alignment is out of position, causing pain, stiffness and loss of movement. Without proper treatment, pain and stiffness along with improper healing can cause major problems now and throughout your life.
As part of a full-service facility, we also offer pain management and psychological services for patients with chronic pain and lifechanging traumatic injuries. Doctors John Joseph, M.D. and Brad Grunert, Ph.D. offer individualized appointments at our Appleton location. When pain or injury strikes, properly healing one’s body, mind and soul is essential. At Hand to Shoulder Center we know how an injury can affect your physical being, your financial outlook and your mental health. It is our mission to provide cost-effective treatment while returning the patient back to their work and daily activities in the shortest time possible with the best possible outcome. To learn more on our services and the staff, go to www.handtoshoulderwisconsin.com or call 920.730.8833.
Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.
Department of Labor unveils long-awaited proposed overtime rules by Bruce B. Deadman of Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.
On June 30, the White House unofficially released the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed rules amending the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime regulations. The proposed rule is in response to President Obama’s directive to DOL to “simplify” and update FLSA rules. The proposed rule contains two significant changes to the current regs: v The current exemption floor of $455 per week, or $23,600 per year, would more than double to $50,440 per year; and v The exemption floor would rise annually by either the cost of living as established by the Consumer Price Index or some other pre-determined amount. Although the large increase in the exemption floor was anticipated, the annual adjustment 36 | August 2015 | NNB2B
920.431.2228
proposal came as somewhat of a surprise to many observers. Many experts were also surprised that the DOL chose not to change the “duties” tests that help determine who is an exempt administrative, executive, professional or sales employee.
The proposed rule now enters a comment phase. DOL has indicated it is particularly interested in comments concerning how increases in the exemption floor should be calculated, and whether the current “duties” tests are working.
According to the White House and the DOL, it is estimated that in Year 1 (2015) some 4.6 million workers would lose their exempt status, resulting in a direct cost to employers of between $239.6 and $255.3 million per year.
It is expected the rule will be finalized by the end of the year. If adopted in anything resembling its current form, the rule will have a fundamental impact on many if not most employers, particularly those in the retail or service industries. All employers are advised to immediately consider the rule’s potential impact on their compensation practices.
DOL further noted that “….by reducing the number of workers for whom employers must apply the duties test to determine exempt status, this proposal is responsive to the President’s directive to simplify the exemption.” The proposed rule would also increase the highly compensated employee (HCE) exemption from $100,000 to $122,418 per year.
Bruce Deadman is Of Counsel with Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. in Green Bay. Mr. Deadman provides counsel to private sector employers on a wide variety of labor and employment law matters. Mr. Deadman can be reached at bdeadman@dkattorneys.com or 920.431.2228 for further information/advice. www.newnorthb2b.com