We appreciate everyone who has stopped by to check out our blog and especially those of you who have given us feedback and encouragement.  We’ll return to providing regular updates after the holidays, as there are plenty of updates to keep us all busy. In the meantime, as you prepare for your office (and maybe […]

California employers are already required to provide non-exempt employees with a reasonable amount of break time to express milk for their infants in a “private place.” And fortunately for the infants consuming that milk, the “private place” cannot be a bathroom. Effective January 1, 2020, however, California will take the duty to accommodate nursing mothers […]

“OK, Boomer.”  This two-word phrase has been included in memes and countless Twitter posts recently.  Along with “OK, Millennial,” it references a generational debate that has picked up steam in recent years, especially on social media.  These phrases often are used to belittle or dismiss a person’s thoughts or opinion based on the generation in […]

We often receive questions from clients about requests that both employees and customers (or patients) make to bring emotional support or service animals into the workplace.  Here’s a quick primer on what employers need to know about service and emotional support animals: What is the difference? A service animal is a dog (or sometimes a […]

In recent years, the NLRB has been rolling back past decisions that reduced employers’ property rights and granted individuals’ access to an employer’s property to engage in union activity.  In Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation, 368 NLRB 46 (Aug. 23, 2019), the NLRB took another step in that direction.  Bexar follows on the heels […]

On October 4, 2019 President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation suspending entry of prospective immigrants to the United States who will financially burden the United States healthcare system. Under the proclamation foreign nationals would be limited from entering the U.S. on an immigrant visa (as a Legal Permanent Resident or “Green Card” holder) unless the […]

On October 24, Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a sweeping and expansive proposal to extend overtime protections to hundreds of thousands of Michigan’s workers.  The proposal, which is technically a “Request for Rulemaking” to amend the Michigan Administrative Code, calls on the Wage and Hour Division to change the salary test for employees to “better […]

On April 22, 2019, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the formation of a new Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit, which is tasked with investigating accusations of payroll fraud and “wage theft” against Michigan businesses. The AG’s Office has reportedly been receiving complaints at a steady pace since the announcement of the new unit and has […]

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. […]

Recently, a group of lawmakers in the Michigan House of Representatives announced a series of bills that are designed to strengthen employee rights and increase compensation.  The bills include: A “Temporary Worker Bill of Rights” that requires employers to give temporary workers the first opportunity at permanent positions and more notice about when they’re scheduled […]