After more than three years of COVID-19 compliance challenges in the United States, May 11, 2023 marked the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers.[1] While many COVID-19 related laws expired long before the end of […]

By now you know that the Michigan Court of Appeals recently decided that the “adopt and amend” strategy that birthed the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act did not violate the Michigan constitution. Read our January 26 Client Alert here.  This decision overturned a July 2022 ruling by the Michigan Court of Claims, and halts the […]

Here’s 3 reasons I think it is (and always will be!) I know, I know. We’re two-and-a-half years in and we’re all soooo over COVID-19. And, if the increase in traffic during the morning commute and lack of prime parking spaces close to the office are any indication, it certainly seems like employees have returned […]

Every year, as the calendar turns from August to September and mornings and evenings get a little cooler, I start to look forward to all things fall. For “normal-person me,” this means getting excited for back to school, the return of college football (GO GREEN!), and giving myself permission to bake some of my favorite […]

5 Minute Message Video Series In this 5 Minute Message, Miller Johnson attorney Sandy Andre examines what the Michigan Court of Claims ruling on minimum wage and paid medical leave means for schools. Watch the 5 Minute Message here.  Questions? Contact the author Sandy Andre. Stay Connected With Us: Email: Want to receive Miller Johnson’s […]

We always think that it won’t happen to us. That “things like this” don’t happen “here.” But recent shootings in workplaces across the county – like at a grocery store in Buffalo, at a school in Uvalde, and at a manufacturing facility in western Maryland – should prompt employers to consider what they can and […]

As we recognize and wrap-up May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Labor wants to remind us that the FMLA covers situations when an employee’s mental health condition inhibits them from working. In a Fact Sheet published this month, the DOL provided several helpful examples of mental health- related FMLA-triggering situations. Those […]

Cold and flu season is upon us. For the week ending January 18, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports that 2.2% of all outpatient visits were due to care related to influenza-like symptoms. Additionally, on January 27, the Department of State issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for all of China, […]

Do your workplace prohibited substances (Smoking or Drug) policies make distinctions between legal and illegal drugs? Do you use “cannabis,” “marijuana,” and “hemp” interchangeably? What about “vaping?” It’s important to understand the vernacular, to make sure your policies say (and, prohibit) what you think they say! Vaping: Vaping is considered the inhaling of vaporized substance. […]

You observe an employee acting oddly at work. But, the employee’s work has not suffered. You don’t think the employee is truly a harm to himself, but they’re just…a bit off. What can you do without violating the law? Specifically, how can an employer inform themselves on whether an employee’s odd behavior is actually a […]