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25 May 2021

New MIOSHA Rules: What’s In, What’s Out, What’s Next?

Following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced yesterday that the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration has made important changes to its COVID-19 emergency workplace rules, effective immediately. MIOSHA has withdrawn the draft permanent rules concerning COVID-19 and cancelled its public hearing on the rules, previously scheduled for May […]

24 May 2021

MIOSHA Updates Emergency Rules and Draft Permanent Rules for COVID-19

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced amendments to emergency rules and draft permanent rules for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, as promulgated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The new emergency rules take effect today, and will remain in effect until October 14, 2021. The draft permanent rules have been […]

18 May 2021

MIOSHA Announcement Regarding Mask Requirements After Latest CDC Guidance and MDHHS Order

MIOSHA updated their website late Monday with a statement to clarify that they will not enforce the face mask requirements in their current Emergency Rules against employers who are otherwise in compliance with the most recent MDHHS Epidemic Order that was effective Saturday, May 15.  Here is what MIOSHA had to say: MIOSHA will soon […]

14 May 2021

Vacc to the Future Update – May 14, 2021

As of Thursday, May 13, 2021, 4,504,003 or 55.6% of eligible Michiganders have received their first dose. The rate of vaccination in Michigan slowed in the last week of April and that trend has continued into May with 120,171 Michiganders receiving their first dose last week. Today, Governor Whitmer issued a press release announcing planned […]

12 May 2021

Potential ERISA Fiduciary Duty Issues with BCBSA $2.67 Billion Settlement

Employers that sponsor fully insured group health plans by an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”) from the period of February 7, 2008 through October 16, 2020, or self-funded group health plans administered by a BCBSA licensee from the period of September 1, 2015 through October 16, 2020 may soon be […]

11 May 2021

Vacc to the Future: Michigan Reaches 55% Vaccinated

Yesterday, May 10, 2021, Governor Whitmer announced that 55% of eligible Michiganders had received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This means Michigan will reach Step 1 of the “MI Vacc To Normal” plan on May 24. Reaching Step 1 means in-person work can resume at all businesses in Michigan on May 24th. As […]

11 May 2021

New HSA/HDHP Limits for 2022

The IRS has announced the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts and high deductible health plans for 2022.  The annual contribution limits and HDHP maximum out-of-pocket limits increased.  The additional annual catch-up contribution limit (for account holders age 55 and older) and HDHP minimum deductibles will remain the same.  Below is a summary: If you […]

10 May 2021

$15 Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors: What’s the Real Deal?

There’s been a lot of press coverage devoted to the recent Executive Order 14026 that requires a $15 minimum wage for employees of certain federal contractors and subcontractors.  Left out of many articles is the fact that this actually applies to very few businesses that have typical contracts to sell goods and services to the […]

07 May 2021

Vacc to the Future Update – May 7, 2021

Last week, Governor Whitmer unveiled a new four step plan called “MI VACC to Normal.” The plan is based on the percentage of eligible Michiganders who have the received their first vaccination. As a reminder, the MDHHS orders limiting things like in person work and restaurant capacity will be lifted as the percentage of vaccinated […]

30 April 2021

Vacc to the Future

Yesterday, Governor Whitmer unveiled a new four step plan called “MI VACC to Normal.” The plan is based on the percentage of eligible Michiganders who have the received their first vaccination. As Michigan progresses through each step, orders limiting things like in person work and restaurant capacity will be lifted: 55% of Michiganders (4,453,304 residents), […]