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Managers Struggling to Handle Employee Mental Health Concerns

14 March 2023

Managers Struggling to Handle Employee Mental Health Concerns

Author: Heather Nezich

The mental health crisis in the U.S. is not going away anytime soon, and managers are on the front lines of a rapidly evolving mental health crisis in the workplace often without the resources they need to support workers. That’s according to the findings of Lyra Health’s 2023 State of Workforce Mental Health Report. The third annual survey compiles responses from more than 2,500 employees and 250 employee benefits leaders.

Toxic Work Environments are Harmful to Your Health

28 February 2023

Toxic Work Environments are Harmful to Your Health

Author: Heather Nezich

Toxic work culture is the number-one reason employees leave jobs and is the cause for many employee health issues. A toxic workplace is an environment where employees are subjected to harassment, discrimination, or bullying. It can also be a place where the employee is micromanaged or has a hostile work environment. Employees often feel unsafe or uncomfortable causing stress, anxiety, and depression.

4 Steps for Employers to Curb the Spread of COVID’s Most Contagious Mutation Yet

17 January 2023

4 Steps for Employers to Curb the Spread of COVID’s Most Contagious Mutation Yet

Author: Heather Nezich

As we enter the new year, and the fourth year of the pandemic, the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate. Two new Omicron subvariants, known as XBB and XBB.1.5 – unofficially nicknamed “Kraken” by some scientists – have emerged as the most transmissible strains to date. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that these new strains account for close to 50% of current COVID-19 infections and are leading to a spike in infections.
Congress Being Urged by Employers to Take Action on Mental Health

13 December 2022

Congress Being Urged by Employers to Take Action on Mental Health

Author: Heather Nezich

Six employer groups representing large companies have sent a letter urging Congress to act on passing measures that would address the nation’s mental health and substance abuse crisis before the end of the year.

What Employers Need to Know About Monkeypox

23 August 2022

What Employers Need to Know About Monkeypox

Author: Linda Olejniczak

On July 23, 2022, the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox Virus (MPV) a public health emergency of international concern. A growing number of states, including California, Illinois, and New York, have declared a state of emergency. On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Federal Government declared MPV a public health emergency.  Such a designation permits greater access to funding, increased vaccine production and distribution, data sharing, and the like.
Employee Mental Health Remains Low

2 August 2022

Employee Mental Health Remains Low

Author: Jason Rowe

New research from employee benefits provider Unum shows over half (56%) of U.S. workers, primarily Millennials and Gen Z, felt mentally unwell in the previous year. Additionally, 42% of employees said they needed to take time off from work to deal with their mental health. Fortunately, 71% of workers believe their employer is more concerned about employees’ mental health than they were in the past according to the recently released 2022 Work and Well-being Survey from American...
Employee Marijuana Use – Know the Laws

28 June 2022

Employee Marijuana Use – Know the Laws

Author: Susan Chance

As more and more states are legalizing the use of marijuana for medical use, recreational use, or both, employers are facing more challenges with maintaining workplace safety while avoiding the pitfalls of laws that are employee friendly to users of marijuana.

Michigan Heat Has Arrived – Protect Your Workers

14 June 2022

Michigan Heat Has Arrived – Protect Your Workers

Author: Heather Nezich

Today’s heat index in Michigan is set to hit 106 degrees.  Are your outdoor workers prepared and protected? Heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related workplace hazards, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Take a Vacation – It Could Save Your Life

7 June 2022

Take a Vacation – It Could Save Your Life

Author: Susan Chance

Many employers are investing in health programs for their employees. It could be offering to co-pay for a gym membership, providing online health support programs, or providing on-site fitness centers. However, one important health benefit that employers have offered for a long time is vacation time.

Michigan Automakers Reinstitute Mandated Masking at its Southeast MI Facilities

17 May 2022

Michigan Automakers Reinstitute Mandated Masking at its Southeast MI Facilities

Author: Michael Burns

Last Sunday, General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (Chrysler parent) announced that they are reinstituting mandatory masking for workers at their facilities in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties.  Those counties are now deemed as having HIGH COVID-19 levels by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HR Plays Important Role in Employee Mental Health

17 May 2022

HR Plays Important Role in Employee Mental Health

Author: Heather Nezich

The workforce is currently facing an unprecedented amount of burnout, stress, and loneliness. SHRM and the SHRM Foundation have released Mental Health in America: A 2022 Workplace Report, which shows how HR policies can make an impact and create empathetic communities in the workplace.
Join the 5-Day Anti-Burnout Challenge

3 May 2022

Join the 5-Day Anti-Burnout Challenge

Author: Linda Olejniczak

Associations Now recently published a 5-Day Anti-Burnout Challenge. The goal is to offer one small task each day for a week that could be worked into daily routines in hopes of preventing burnout.  It is a great challenge to offer your workforce – especially with May being Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Will Smith Oscar Smack Highlights How Violence Erupts Unexpectedly and Anywhere

5 April 2022

Will Smith Oscar Smack Highlights How Violence Erupts Unexpectedly and Anywhere

Author: Michael Burns

By now most everyone has seen or heard that at the Oscar awards on March 27th actor Will Smith took offense at a joke made by Chris Rock about Smith’s wife. Smith proceeded to walk up on stage and slap (hard) Chris Rock and then yell at him to leave his wife out of his remarks (with expletives) after returning to his seat.

Can Returning to the Office Have Negative Health Effects?

22 March 2022

Can Returning to the Office Have Negative Health Effects?

Author: Heather Nezich

As more organizations solidify return-to-office plans, a new Korn Ferry survey reveals that most professionals don’t think returning will be healthy for them.

Workforce Mental Health is One of HR’s Top Priorities for 2022

25 January 2022

Workforce Mental Health is One of HR’s Top Priorities for 2022

Author: Heather Nezich

Employee mental health has taken center stage as one of the top HR priorities facing employers with nearly all companies identifying stress and burnout as a threat for their workforces, according to a survey by Willis Towers Watson (WTW).

With a Vaccine Mandate Coming, HR Should be on Alert for Fake Vaccination Cards

2 November 2021

With a Vaccine Mandate Coming, HR Should be on Alert for Fake Vaccination Cards

Author: Anthony Kaylin

With air travel opening and requirements for vaccines required, the fake vaccine card market is taking off.  There are a number of cases reported in the news.  For example, a spelling-challenged Illinois woman who doesn't know her Moderna from 'Maderna' was arrested after using a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to go on vacation in Hawaii.  In another case, a New Jersey woman calling herself the “AntiVaxMomma” on Instagram sold several hundred fake COVID-19...
Cannabis – To Test or Not to Test?

2 November 2021

Cannabis – To Test or Not to Test?

Author: Susan Chance

As more and more states make the use of cannabis being legal, for medical or recreational use, employers have been challenged with making policies that will best protect the company while still allowing them to fill positions.

As We Watch for OSHA’s COVID Vaccine Mandate Guidance, Don’t Forget Applicable Wage and Hour Rules

19 October 2021

As We Watch for OSHA’s COVID Vaccine Mandate Guidance, Don’t Forget Applicable Wage and Hour Rules

Author: Michael Burns

As we wait for the OSHA guidance detailing how employers (over 100 in employment) can implement mandated vaccination for employees, employers need to keep in mind how they require vaccination and testing may impact proper pay for non-exempt employees.

Workers Rely on Employers to Make Them Feel Comfortable in Return to Work

12 October 2021

Workers Rely on Employers to Make Them Feel Comfortable in Return to Work

Author: Heather Nezich

A new Randstad USA survey found that workers have health and safety concerns around returning to work. The survey revealed three main findings:

Employee Resilience is Dependent Upon Employer Support

6 October 2021

Employee Resilience is Dependent Upon Employer Support

Author: Heather Nezich

As the pandemic continues to unfold, the ability of employers to have a positive impact on employee health and resiliency cannot be understated according to a recent Mercer Survey, Health on Demand.

Think Harassment Isn’t Happening at Your Organization?  Maybe it Just Isn’t Being Reported.

21 September 2021

Think Harassment Isn’t Happening at Your Organization? Maybe it Just Isn’t Being Reported.

Author: Heather Nezich

From sexual harassment to discrimination to power abuse, harassment affects more than just a handful of employees. Harassment deteriorates culture and morale and can lead to psychological discomfort, leaving a job, or lawsuits. Why is this happening? And how can organizations work to prevent harassment before it begins, or hear about issues when they arise?
Questions Surrounding the New Vaccine Executive Order

14 September 2021

Questions Surrounding the New Vaccine Executive Order

Author: Anthony Kaylin

Last week, President Biden directed OSHA to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that will require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure that their employees are either fully vaccinated or that the unvaccinated employees produce a negative test weekly before coming to work. The ETS will also require these employers to provide paid time off for their employees to get vaccinated or to recover if they are “under the weather post-vaccination.”

Yes, Employers Have a Right to Know Vaccination Status

24 August 2021

Yes, Employers Have a Right to Know Vaccination Status

Author: Anthony Kaylin

As ASE has written about previously, a vaccine mandate is allowed under law, except in jurisdictions which do not allow it, e.g. Montana. In addition, vaccine mandates in a union environment is still under question as to whether it has to be negotiated.  But employers are not flocking to this mandate.  In a recent ASE survey of 143 Michigan organizations, a majority of those surveyed (74.1%) continue to encourage vaccinations, but not mandate them.  Yet, the Delta variant...
From Mandates to Recommendations – What Do Employers Do Now?

17 August 2021

From Mandates to Recommendations – What Do Employers Do Now?

Author: Heather Nezich

The CDC's updated guidance suggesting facial coverings be worn in "public indoor settings" adds a new but hopefully surmountable barrier to returning the workforce to the office. The latest guidance has frustrated some employers who are attempting to develop sensible policies to return their workforce to offices.

Worker COVID-19 Exposure Protocol Updated

10 August 2021

Worker COVID-19 Exposure Protocol Updated

Author: Michael Burns

As COVID-19 has resurged, safety protocols for workers have been updated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In addition to guidance for unvaccinated persons on quarantining after close contact with someone with COVID, the updated protocol also includes guidance for people who are fully vaccinated and exposed.
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