Joint Enforcement Task Force on Payroll Fraud and Worker Misclassification Holds First Meeting

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MADISON – Governor Tony Evers' Joint Enforcement Task Force on Payroll Fraud and Worker Misclassification today held its first meeting to discuss Governor Evers' executive order and goals for the task force, review the findings of the 2009 task force, and listen to presentations from key program experts and other stakeholders. The meeting was the first of several scheduled to be held prior to the first report being due to Governor Evers in March 2020.

"Worker misclassification results in millions of dollars in taxpayer losses due to the underpayment of wages, unemployment insurance tax contributions, worker's compensation, and payroll taxes, and that’s why the work of Task Force on Payroll Fraud and Worker Misclassification is so critically important to our workforce and our economy,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsin has been a leader on so many fronts—unemployment insurance, worker's compensation, youth and registered apprenticeship, and many others—and we’re looking forward to the Task Force getting to work so our state can be a leader on this important issue."

The Joint Enforcement Task Force on Payroll Fraud and Worker Misclassification was created by Governor Evers through Executive Order #20 earlier this year. The task force will coordinate worker misclassification matters handled by the Departments of Revenue, Workforce Development, and Justice, as well as the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and other agencies.

"I am excited to get to work with a task force full of informed professionals, ready to tackle this important issue that is plaguing not only Wisconsin's workforce, but employers from multiple industries," Department of Workforce Development Secretary-designee Caleb Frostman said. "This issue is bipartisan, and I look forward to arriving at meaningful recommendations for the Governor and State Legislature to consider."

To view the meeting materials from today's meeting, see upcoming meeting dates, and learn more about the taskforce, please visit https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/misclass-taskforce/.