Domestic violence can affect an employee’s health, safety, attendance, and ability to remain employed. Michigan employers should understand two important laws that provide support for employees experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault – the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and recent changes to unemployment eligibility.

Daylight Savings Time ends November 1: When clocks are turned back an hour in the early morning on November 1st workers on the midnight shift at that time will actually work an extra hour. Assuming that these workers are nonexempt employees, meaning that they are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), they must be paid for all hours worked.

An employee’s medical leave can create difficult decisions for employers, especially when an absence continues longer than expected. While businesses must manage staffing needs and maintain operations, terminating an employee who is on short-term disability (STD) can create legal risks if the decision is not carefully evaluated.

Thinking like an owner does not mean having a financial stake in the organization. It means understanding that everyday decisions and behaviors affect coworkers, customers, productivity, reputation, and ultimately the organization’s success.

Benefits communication should do more than tell employees what benefits are available. Effective communication helps employees understand their benefits, recognize how changes affect them, and make informed decisions about using those benefits.

Manufacturing Day is this Friday, October 2, and is a good reminder that attracting the next generation of manufacturing talent takes more than putting a “Now Hiring” sign outside the building.

Two weeks ago, a fire at a Southeast- Michigan100 year old golf club provided a powerful reminder that emergencies are not abstract possibilities. In a matter of hours, employees can lose access to their workplace, planned events can be canceled, critical equipment and records can be destroyed, and normal operations can come to a sudden stop. The weeks that follow may require difficult decisions about employee communication, work arrangements, payroll, insurance, member services, and...

When we think about workplace safety, it is easy to focus on minor injuries cuts, bruises, strains or sprains. But MIOSHA fatality reports remind us that some workplace hazards can have much more serious consequences. Four categories that repeatedly appear in Michigan workplace fatalities are electrical shock, caught-in or between, falls from elevation, and struck-by incidents.

 

Employers may occasionally hire an employee who is authorized to work but has not yet received a Social Security number (SSN). While this situation can create questions about onboarding, payroll, reporting, and benefits, the absence of an SSN does not necessarily mean the hiring process must be delayed.

On August 6, 2026, Sen. Bernie Sanders reintroduced the Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act, legislation that would establish a federal right to paid annual vacation for workers. Rep. Seth Magaziner introduced companion legislation in the House with support from 86 House members.

Managers are often the first to notice when something isn't quite right. An employee who was once highly engaged becomes withdrawn. A top performer begins missing deadlines. Team members express concerns about a colleague who appears overwhelmed, anxious, or unusually emotional. While managers are not expected to serve as counselors or clinicians, they are increasingly expected to recognize when employees may need support and know how to respond appropriately. That is why more...

Artificial intelligence has become a workplace staple for many HR professionals. From drafting policies and writing job descriptions to supporting recruiting, performance management, and workforce analytics, AI is helping organizations move faster than ever before. But as adoption increases, so do questions about accountability, ethics, and the very real consequences of getting it wrong.

For years, manufacturers have faced a common challenge: finding and retaining the next generation of talent. As experienced workers retire and competition for skilled employees continues to increase, HR leaders are uniquely positioned to help reshape the perception of manufacturing careers and build sustainable talent pipelines.

Menopause has historically been treated as a private health issue. However, increasingly, lawmakers and employers are recognizing it as a workforce issue.

A major shift in federal marijuana policy is forcing employers to rethink workplace drug policies and disability accommodations. The recent reclassification of medical marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III substance has changed how employers must evaluate employee marijuana use under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For many organizations, this change introduces legal uncertainty and a need for immediate policy review.