On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (H.R. 4445, the “Act”), which amends the Federal Arbitration Act and ensures that victims of sexual assault and harassment are entitled to have their day in court. Specifically, the Act provides that no …
The Private Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate is Here: What Employers Need to Know
On Thursday, November 4, 2021, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) rolled out temporary emergency standards (“ETS”) implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which are expected to become effective November 5, 2021. These emergency rules are intended to address the “grave danger of COVID-19 in the workplace.” …
Accommodating an Anxious Workforce
The American population, and thus the American workforce, is becoming increasingly subject to anxiety and depression disorders. Employers must find ways to retain and motivate employees with such diagnoses in order to maintain a competitive advantage and to avoid legal liability. Nobody knows precisely how many U.S. employees suffer from anxiety and depression, but they …
Handbook Compliance: A Multi-State Issue
Most folks reading this post are subject to a slew of policies that govern his or her employment. For most of us, workplace policies govern when we come to work, what we do when we get there, when we can leave for the day, when and how we take time away from work, what we …
Michigan Repeals Prevailing Wage Act
On June 6, 2018, the Michigan Legislature repealed the state’s Prevailing Wage Act through the Michigan Repeal Prevailing Wages and Fringe Benefits on State Projects Initiative (the “Initiative”). Michigan’s Prevailing Wage Act required project owners to pay workers union-scale wages and benefits for state-funded construction projects. The repeal took effect on June 6, but it …