American Society of Employers
State Personnel File Laws – Michigan and Other States

15 July 2025

State Personnel File Laws – Michigan and Other States

Author: Michael Burns

Since 1978 Michigan has had its own personnel file law that is commonly called the Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act (also called the Sunshine in the Personnel File law) that requires employers to allow an employee to access information in their personnel files. It defines what and what is not considered a “personnel record.” The definition is quite broad but contains some exceptions that are not considered personnel records listed below:

Quiet Cutting: What HR Needs to Know About This Growing Trend

15 July 2025

Quiet Cutting: What HR Needs to Know About This Growing Trend

Author: Heather Nezich

You’ve probably heard of “quiet quitting,” but a new trend is quietly reshaping workplaces: quiet cutting. Instead of laying off employees, organizations are increasingly reassigning workers into different roles—often without a promotion, raise, or even much choice in the matter. While this strategy may help companies avoid severance costs or negative PR tied to layoffs, it raises real concerns for morale, engagement, and retention.

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Employers

15 July 2025

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Employers

Author: Anthony Kaylin

With the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), a number of provisions impact employers.  Below is a summary of the major ones.

Tips for Transitioning from a Third-Party Insurance Plan to a Self-Funded Plan

15 July 2025

Tips for Transitioning from a Third-Party Insurance Plan to a Self-Funded Plan

Author: Linda Olejniczak

In a May 2025 blog post, OneDigital examined the best way to transition from a fully insured health plan to a self-funded plan. A self-funded health care plan is one where the employer assumes the financial risk for providing health care benefits to its employees. Instead of paying fixed premiums to an insurance carrier, the employer pays for medical claims out of its own funds.

Small Businesses Can Compete with Big Employers for Talent – Here’s How

15 July 2025

Small Businesses Can Compete with Big Employers for Talent – Here’s How

Author: Dan Van Slambrook

In the proverbial war for talent, small business leaders can understandably feel intimidated by the prospect of competing with large firms. Big budgets often spell deeper pockets for salaries, signing bonuses, advanced talent acquisition technology, and recruiting staff resources that small employers may not be able to compete with. The prospect of trying to attract available talent away from the gravitational pull of big organizations can be daunting. Yet, history is full of examples of...
Quick Hits - July 16, 2025

15 July 2025

Quick Hits - July 16, 2025

Author: ASE Staff

Canada increases wage threshold under temporary worker program:  Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has announced an increase in the wage threshold under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), effective June 27, 2025.

Categories: EverythingPeople
Two Common FLSA Mistakes Employers Can’t Afford to Make

8 July 2025

Two Common FLSA Mistakes Employers Can’t Afford to Make

Author: Michael Burns

Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is essential for employers to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes. Yet, even well-meaning practices like using a “working interview” or paying employees different rates for different types of work can trigger violations if not handled properly. Recent enforcement actions and Department of Labor guidance serve as reminders that missteps – especially around compensation during hiring or calculating overtime – can...
HR Transformed: IBM Cuts HR Jobs as AI Takes Over Routine Tasks

8 July 2025

HR Transformed: IBM Cuts HR Jobs as AI Takes Over Routine Tasks

Author: Heather Nezich

IBM recently made headlines after revealing that artificial intelligence now handles 94% of its routine HR tasks. Hundreds of roles have been replaced by AI, but the company isn’t shrinking. Instead, IBM reports more than $3.5 billion in productivity gains across 70 business units over two years, and leaders say this transformation is fueling growth and reinvestment – not just cost-cutting.

HR’s Strategic Pivot: From Cost Center to Value Driver

8 July 2025

HR’s Strategic Pivot: From Cost Center to Value Driver

Author: Kevin Marrs

HR departments are under mounting pressure to control costs, particularly in employee benefits and HR operations. A recent AON report underscores this trend, projecting healthcare costs to rise by 9.2% in 2025, up from 8% the previous year. This reinforces the reality that HR remains one of the largest cost centers in most organizations. A recent article from WTW, “Recalibrating Employee Benefits: How Companies Are Delivering Value in a Cost-Constrained World,” calls for a shift...
College Sport Programs Can Pay Athletes – What Does That Mean?

8 July 2025

College Sport Programs Can Pay Athletes – What Does That Mean?

Author: Anthony Kaylin

On June 6, 2025, the U.S. District Court issued a long-awaited final approval of a $2.8 billion settlement in the blockbuster Grant House, et al. v. National College Athletic Association, et al., No: 5:20-cv-3919, ( U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, June 6, 2025) antitrust case that allows for direct sharing of revenue between NCAA colleges and universities and thousands of student-athletes. NCAA rules “prohibit student-athletes from receiving anything of...
Quick Hits - July 9, 2025

8 July 2025

Quick Hits - July 9, 2025

Author: ASE Staff

Is the company picnic dead? Long a staple but in recent years fading, company picnics have been a morale booster and networking opportunity for employees.

Categories: EverythingPeople
DOL Submits Rescission of OFCCP Regulations

1 July 2025

DOL Submits Rescission of OFCCP Regulations

Author: Anthony Kaylin

On 7/1/2025 the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) submitted a rescission of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  This rescission complies with the requirements of Executive Order 14173 which revoked Executive Order 11246, the affirmative action executive order.  These regulations are the next-to-final nail in the affirmative action Executive Order 11246 coffin. 
Balancing Speed and Diligence in Hiring

1 July 2025

Balancing Speed and Diligence in Hiring

Author: Heather Nezich

The hiring landscape in 2025 is a balancing act. On one hand, employers must be thoughtful, thorough, and strategic in hiring the right candidates. On the other, they’re racing the clock, because when hiring stalls, top candidates often disappear. According to a recent Robert Half report, 93% of hiring managers say the process now takes longer than it did just two years ago. In a competitive labor market, that delay could mean getting ghosted by top talent.
No Map? No Problem. Rewriting the Career Growth Playbook

1 July 2025

No Map? No Problem. Rewriting the Career Growth Playbook

Author: Dana Weidinger

Career growth can no longer follow a one-size-fits-all path. Employees are seeking more than just promotions – they want meaningful development, purpose-driven opportunities, and support that reflects their individuality. To truly reimagine career growth, organizations must embrace a fresh, human-centered strategy that engages people at every level.

Republican Lawmaker Introduces New Federal Labor Bill

1 July 2025

Republican Lawmaker Introduces New Federal Labor Bill

Author: Michael Burns

The PRO Act bill threatens to fundamentally change the National Labor Relations Act in favor of organized labor. Last week, Rick Allen (R) Georgia introduced a more modest bill that provides some labor law breaks to employers. Congressmen Allen, who is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, introduced the Employee Rights Act bill.

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