As Michigan businesses prepared to re-open following last spring’s COVID-19 lockdown, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued several executive orders requiring enhanced workplace safety measures. After the Michigan Supreme Court curtailed the governor’…
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Last spring, in the early throes of the pandemic, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The Act focuses on encouraging workers sick with COVID-19 to stay home and quarantine, while also providing relief to parents…
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For those of a certain age, it seems hard to believe that twenty years have passed since the infamous, closely counted 2000 Presidential Election. After weeks of talk about hanging chads and a flurry of legal activity, the United States Supreme Court…
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The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws. That includes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which applies to private employers with 15 or more employees. Many states have a co…
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I previously wrote about Executive Order 2020-36, which prevented employers from disciplining or discharging employees who remained home due to symptoms of COVID-19 or due to “close contact” with someone who has tested positive for, or shows symp…
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The United States Department of Labor recently issued additional guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and how it impacts employees returning to work. Adding to an already lengthy list of Questions and Answers, the DOL offer…
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In a much-anticipated decision, the United States Supreme Court last week ruled that Title VII of the United States Code (i.e, the federal statute that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex) protects LGBTQIA workers. In short, this means em…
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Last Thursday, Governor Whitmer issued two new Executive Orders of particular importance to Michigan employers. EO 2020-96 expands the list of industries permitted to operate in-person to include medical facilities, building trades, manufacturers and…
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Faced with a dramatically altered economic landscape and a scramble to preserve cash, many companies have implemented across the board pay cuts. Assuming there is no contract or collective bargaining agreement preventing cuts, there’s generally no…
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