Your search for “Alert” returned the following results:
- Workplace Law Lowdown | The American Rescue Plan: Employer Takeaways
04/20/2021President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) into law on March 11, 2021. Provided here is an overview of the key features that affect employers. COBRA Subsidy In general, upon the loss of employer-sponsored health insurance…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | MIOSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Rules Extended
04/16/2021Pursuant to a certification by Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Occupation Safety and Health Administration (“MIOSHA”) extended the COVID-19 Emergency Rules until October 14, 2021. These Emergency Rules were previously set to expire on April 14, 2021. Compliance with the Emergency…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Employers Beware! Wage and Hour and NLRB Announce More Aggressive Enforcement
04/14/2021Two Federal Agencies within the Department of Labor have recently announced aggressive enforcement initiatives. Wage and Hour: On April 9, 2021, the Wage and Hour Division issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2021-2. This bulletin announced that the Wage and Hour Division…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Return of the 14-Day Quarantine Period
04/08/2021We reported earlier this year that Michigan employers were permitted to reduce the requisite quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days for employees who experienced close contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19 based upon the passage of Enrolled Senate…
- Physician Non-Compete Agreements – Changes on the Horizon
03/29/2021Non-compete covenants have become a standard component in physician employment agreements. Hospitals and private practices view these non-competes as an essential tool to protect their investment in their business and their patient base. On the other hand, physicians desire not…
- Michigan Individual Tax Deadline Automatically Extended to May 17
03/23/2021Through the issuance of a Notice posted to its website, The Michigan Department of Treasury (the “Department”) has extended the deadline for individual taxpayers to both file the applicable 2020 income tax return (e.g., Form MI-1040 or Composite Income Tax Return),…
- WORKPLACE LAW LOWDOWN | MIOSHA’s COVID-19 Workplace Safeguards Remain In Place
03/16/2021The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) released its first guidance for fully vaccinated individuals on March 8, 2021. This new guidance may tempt employers to begin relaxing workplace safeguards and distinguishing between vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees. However, to…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | COVID-19 Workplace Safeguards Still Apply to Vaccinated Employees
02/25/2021Vaccines have arrived, prompting hope that the COVID-19 pandemic can be effectively and nationally controlled in the near future. In recognition of this positive trajectory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recently determined that vaccinated individuals need not…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | OSHA Strengthens Federal Guidance on COVID-19 Workplace Safety
02/03/2021On January 21, 2021, President Biden signed the Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, directing the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), to issue “revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during…
- Recent Significant Updates to the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute
01/26/2021The Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) place significant restrictions on how providers and businesses can operate in the health care space. The existing restrictions are helpful in fighting fraud but also potentially inhibit beneficial arrangements that could advance transition…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Sixth Circuit Will Not Expand Landmark Title VII Case of Bostock v Clayton County
01/22/2021Sixth Circuit Will Not Expand Landmark Title VII Case of Bostock v Clayton County to ADEA Claims Employers in the Sixth Circuit Gain Predictability in the Test for Determining Claims Under the ADEA The case of Pelcha v. MW Bancorp…
- New COVID Relief Bill – Paycheck Protection Program (Round 2)
01/08/2021As a result of recently passed stimulus legislation called the Economic Aid Act, additional funding has been made available under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) for both first and second-time borrowers. It is anticipated that borrowers applying for a first…
- New COVID Relief Bill – Expanded worker benefits; payroll tax changes
01/11/2021On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”). In addition to the 2021 appropriations and authorizations, this spending package includes $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief. Among other things, the Act provides some relief…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | The Sixth Circuit Clarifies the FLSA Test for Educational Programs
01/06/2021A recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion, Eberline v. Douglas J. Holdings (12/17/2020), clarified how the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) exemption for educational programs should be applied when some duties do not fall within the educational purpose. In…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | New Year, New Preparedness and Response Plan Requirements
01/05/2021Though employers have been enforcing their COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plans for many months, recent legislation and public health guidance necessitate an update and provide some unexpected room for employer discretion. The sources of change: The Centers for Disease Control…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Can Employers Require a COVID-19 Vaccine?
12/08/2020Every day Americans are promised an end to this pandemic through the advent of an all hallowed vaccine. As this day draws nearer, questions for employers become more eminent—how (and whether) to administer a vaccine program; whether employers can require…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | MIOSHA Releases New Guidance, Requiring COVID-19 Remote Work Policies, and Promising to Enforce its Feasibility Rule
11/17/2020The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“MIOSHA”) predominantly defines the workplace safeguards employers must implement responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it investigates employers’ failures to comply, leveraging citations and fines as its most convincing enforcement mechanisms. In particular,…
- Enterprise Procurement Update: USAA sues PNC for IP infringement over mobile deposit technology
10/26/2020Your company gets an intimidating letter from a courier. It has to be signed for. It is stamped with terms like “legal,” “confidential,” “urgent,” and “time sensitive.” It is a legal notice informing your company that it has infringed another…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Unemployed Michiganders are Now Eligible for an Additional $300 per Week
08/31/2020Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, which afforded eligible individuals $600 in supplemental unemployment compensation benefits through much of the COVID-19 crisis, ceased on July 31, 2020. Congress failed to reach a consensus on an extension thereto, so, on August 8, 2020,…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Governor Signs EO-172 Tightening the Symptomology Necessary for Employees to Stay Home From Work Without Repercussions
08/28/2020Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-172 on Thursday, Aug. 27, replacing Executive Order 2020-166. EO-172, the intent of which is to protect employees from retaliation for missing work due to COVID-19 symptoms, diagnosis or exposure, tightens the restrictions on the…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Overrules Precedent Protecting Abusive Language
07/31/2020Long-standing NLRB precedent has protected abusive and harassing language when linked to protected union activity in most instances. Many cases have even excused racist and/or sexist language when used during an organizing campaign or while otherwise used while engaging in…
- Workplace Law Lowdown | Governor Whitmer Amends MI Safe Start Order to Limit Indoor Gatherings, Close Bars and Open Casinos
07/30/2020Yesterday evening July 29, 2020, citing a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Orders 2020-160 & 2020-161 (the “Orders”), taking effect July 31. Indoor & Outdoor Gatherings All indoor gatherings statewide (public and private) are now limited…
- Workplace Law Lowdown: Michigan Court of Appeals Lets Non-Solicitation Case Go Forward Even Though Customer Initiated Contact
07/16/2020Former employees are not shielded from enforcement of non-solicitation agreements simply because the customer initiated the business contact, the Michigan Court of Appeals has determined in Total Quality, Inc. v. Fewless, et al., Case No. 346409 (Mich Ct App, July…
- Workplace Law Lowdown: EO No. 2020-147
07/10/2020Hours ago, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order (EO No. 2020-147) in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases Michigan is experiencing. The Order expands on the specifics of when and where a mask is required, and also implements…
- Workplace Law Lowdown: Supreme Court of the United States Issues Landmark Ruling on LGBTQ Rights
06/16/2020On June 15, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark opinion reversing one circuit court of appeals holding and affirming two others with its ruling that the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, does indeed protect…