Wage garnishments are among the trickiest functions a payroll department administers. What is the difference between earnings and income? What protection does the law provide to employees who are subject to a garnishment? When do you follow federal limits vs. state limits? What changes are we seeing with the documents as a result of the poor economy? The list of issues goes on and on.

In recognition of this critical area, Bloomberg BNA is hosting a series of five Webinars that will cover virtually every aspect of wage garnishments. In addition to the introductory Webinar, which is designed as a training tool for administering wage attachments, there will be sessions covering child support, creditor and student loan garnishments, as well as federal tax levies. Conducted by noted author and speaker Amy Bryant CPP, each segment will:

• Build on the information learned in the introductory session.
• Identify the priority of each type of garnishments as it is studied in the four specialized segments.
• Explain the most common mistakes made by employers.
• Show where the greatest potential for employer liabilities lie.
• Provide updates to applicable state or federal laws.

In Session 1, join Ms. Bryant as she takes you through an introduction to wage garnishments:

1. Introduction to Wage Garnishments
   • Explanation of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA)
     1. Definition of earnings
        • Difference between earnings and income
     2. Definition of disposable earnings
        • Concept of Deductions required by law
     3. Amount exempt (protected) from garnishment for ordinary garnishments
     4. Limitations on the aggregate amount of disposable earnings that can be deducted for :
        • ordinary garnishments, and
        • support
     5. Employee protection from job discrimination and loss of job because they are subject to a garnishment.
   • Explanation of what the CCPA does not cover :
     1. Administrative requirements
     2. Priority of garnishments
     3. Protections for employees with tax levies, voluntary wage assignments, and bankruptcy repayment.
   • Tips for Best Practices with handling garnishments to avoid judgments, costly mistakes
   • Guidance on when to follow federal laws and when to follow state laws.

Amorette (Amy) Bryant, CPP