Rising healthcare costs and the ongoing competition for talent have put Michigan employers in a delicate position: how to offer benefits that attract and retain employees without breaking budgets. ASE’s newly released 2025 Health, Welfare, and Retirement Plans Survey shows how organizations across the state are striking that balance.

If your boss yells at you and even throws a notebook in your direction, does that qualify as a hostile work environment? Not necessarily. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, in Brooks v. Grundmann, that type of behavior was considered an “isolated expression of frustration,” not unlawful harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

With the tragic killing of the conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, thousands if not more people, went to their social media accounts to express their opinions in one fashion or another. In some cases employers have been forced to take employment action against workers that have posted comments perceived to be negative or in celebration of the tragedy.

Employees are constantly bombarded with negative news from television broadcasts to social media feeds, and the impact on mental health can be significant. Combined with work pressures, this can leave employees feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or disconnected. While large-scale programs and benefits are valuable, sometimes it’s the smaller, everyday actions that make the biggest difference. These simple but powerful practices can help create a supportive environment where employees feel...

The “No Robo Bosses Act” (SB 7), which aims to regulate the use of automated decision systems (ADS) in the workplace, is currently sitting on Governor Newsom’s desk waiting for signature or veto by end of month.  The bill is a new approach to the state regulating AI in the workplace. Although Governor Newsome has not indicated whether he would sign or not, if he did, the law would be effective January 1, 2026.

Intermittent FMLA designation is an estimate of time off, not a hard cap: A mail clerk with sickle cell anemia, was employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and had a history of attendance issues, some of which were covered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). To avoid termination, he entered into a Last Chance Agreement (LCA) that limited unscheduled absences and specified that FMLA-approved absences would not count against him if properly documented.

At the American Society of Employers, we talk a lot about best practices: how to streamline workflows, eliminate bottlenecks, and boost productivity. These are all important, but today I want to focus on something equally essential and often overlooked: psychological safety.

In 2024 Colorado became the first state in the nation to enact comprehensive regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) with Senate Bill 24-205 (SB205), also known as the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (CAIA). The law is comprehensive, similar to the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act. It established detailed compliance obligations for developers and users of "high-risk" AI systems operating in employment, housing, finance, health care, education, and essential...

Employee recognition is one of the most powerful tools HR leaders and managers have to boost engagement, retention, and overall workplace morale. The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or fancy programs to make recognition meaningful. Here are some practical, affordable ways to create a culture of recognition in your organization without breaking the bank.

If you were one of the few members that could not make it to the sold out ASE Employment Law Briefing last week, this article will help bring you up to speed on a couple of DOL regulatory issues covered at the event.

As economic uncertainty and reduced consumer confidence continues in the U.S., new job growth has remained stagnant in recent months. A recent survey by outplacement firm CareerMinds revealed that approximately 66.7% of employers polled have implemented some form of hiring freeze. Out of those, 44.6% have put limited freezes in place based on specific positions or departments, with 22.1% halting hiring activities across all roles.  Anecdotally, my professional recruitment network paints...

Still want to work in HR? 48% of HR professionals in the U.S. said they’ve considered leaving the field in the next 12 months, according to the 2026 State of People Strategy Report, released Wednesday by HR platform Lattice. Globally, of the more than 1,000 HR practitioners surveyed, 41% said the same.  Globally, of the more than 1,000 HR practitioners surveyed, 41% said the same.

The Great Flattening – the trend of eliminating middle managers to cut costs, reduce bureaucracy, and streamline organizational charts – is rapidly spreading across industries. What began in the tech sector is now reshaping corporate structures in retail, finance, and even government.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is still fairly new, and there are limited cases to guide HR in shaping policies and internal practices. The cases below, filed by the EEOC, offer insight into how the agency is approaching and reviewing allegations of PWFA violations.

In a time of labor market uncertainty, economic headwinds, and rapid advancements in AI, many employees are choosing to hold onto their current roles not because they are satisfied, but because switching seems too risky. This phenomenon, called job hugging, captures a shift in workplace behavior that carries significant implications for individuals, organizations, and the broader economy.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both excitement and fear as it quickly becomes a standard part of our lives. Some worry it poses risks to society, while others believe it will revolutionize how we work and live. What’s undeniable is that AI isn’t slowing down; it’s accelerating.

On July 31, 2025, the Michigan Supreme Court restricted the use of limitation of action agreements by Michigan employers. For those who have not followed this issue, limitation of action agreements are used to shorten the time plaintiffs (employees) have to bring a lawsuit against the employer. The limitation of action agreement shortens the time employees have to file certain wrongful employment claims. While these claims are often allowed up to one year, or in some cases as long as three...

Going PRO Talent fund cut by House budget bill: The Michigan House of Representatives has adopted a very aggressive budget that makes dramatic cuts in several programs to provide increased resources for roads, bridges, and state infrastructure. Among the cuts is the elimination of the Going PRO Talent Fund, a training grant program that manufacturers use to develop future skilled employees who will move manufacturing to the next level. According to the Michigan Manufacturers Association...

Warren Buffett once said, “Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. You think about it; it’s true. If you hire somebody without [integrity], you really want them to be dumb and lazy.” It’s a perspective that invites leaders to reflect on which qualities truly matter most in the hiring process.

As organizations begin building budgets and priorities for 2026, now is the perfect time to take a step back and evaluate HR’s role. Budgets aren’t just about numbers, they reflect strategy. By asking the right questions today, HR leaders can ensure they’re focusing resources where they’ll have the greatest impact in the year ahead.

With an aging workforce and fewer young people entering the trades than in previous generations, the need to attract and inspire new talent for these industries is greater than ever. Thankfully, trade workers have taken to the social media platform, TikTok, to share their careers, and it has proven to be an effective recruitment strategy.

In recent years employees have requested earlier access for earned wages than the normal payroll period.  With employees at times financially struggling, access to their earned wages outside of the normal payroll allows them flexibility to pay bills, rent, and other expenses in a timely manner. A recent study shows that 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, making Earned Wage Access (EWA) a valuable financial benefit for employees. This is different than a payday loan which is a...

A compliance-related employee handbook policy that is often overlooked is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) policy statement. Though arguably not a required policy statement, it is a policy comparable to other policies on non-discrimination that should be in employee handbooks. These nondiscrimination policies tell employees, managers, and the world that the employer prohibits these forms of discrimination.

Did you know? Baby boomers born in the latter years of the baby boom held an average of 12.9 jobs from age 18 to age 58, with over 40% of these jobs held from ages 18 to 24.  These  baby boomers held an average of 5.6 jobs while ages 18 to 24. The average fell to 4.5 jobs from ages 25 to 34; to 2.9 jobs from ages 35 to 44; to 2.2 jobs from ages 45 to 54; and to 1.3 jobs from ages 55 to 58. Sounds familiar to other generations?  Source:  U.S. Census 8/26/25

Labor Day unofficially started back on September 5, 1882, when over 10,000 workers walked off their jobs and took an unpaid leave from work to conduct a march in New York City. Labor Day became an official holiday on the first Monday in September by an Act of Congress on June 28,1894.