Muskego Lake District Looks At Employment Options

The Little Muskego Lake District met at last Thursday to review progress on how they will handle summer employment and still contain costs.

Many employees are signed on for the summer season, with the understanding that the position is seasonal, however state employment regulations allow for employees to file unemployment claims if their tenure exceeds 90 calendar days.

What this has meant for the district is approximately $800 per week in claims, ranging from about $50 per week to the maximum benefit of more than $350.  Brian Volkman, board member, said he looked into staffing vendors like Manpower, which charge a premium over the base hourly wage, but then handle unemployment issues. 

"They are in the business of what we are not - finding winter employment for their workers," Volkman said.

The district can also file for a 'seasonal business' status with the state, according to Tom Reck, also on the board.  However, the application submitted in January of 2012 would not take effect for the district until the 2013 season, leaving yet another year where they would be open to these claims.

The district also discussed staggered hiring, where they would have coverage over the entire season, but no employee would work beyond the 90-day cap.

No decision was made as to which option would best work out, with the district stating they were continuing to research their options.