Michigan has enacted significant new legislation that prohibits employees with “the principal symptoms” of COVID-19 from reporting to work and forbids employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who stay home because they have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19.
Articles Discussing General Topics Under Michigan Labor & Employment Law.
Michigan Provides Employers and Employees COVID-19 Protections
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into law four bills that encourage employers to resume business in compliance with all COVID-19 safeguards required under the various federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders, and agency orders. The new laws provide a significant reward for an employer’s compliance: insulation
Michigan Grants Business and Worker Protections Related to COVID-19
On October 22, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed multiple bills that protect Michigan employers that are in compliance with COVID-19-related laws, including agency orders, and protect workers who do not report to work because they were exposed to, display symptoms of, or tested positive for COVID-19.
Michigan OSHA Issues Emergency Rules Related to COVID-19
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has issued emergency health and safety rules aimed at controlling, preventing, and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The emergency rules, which Governor Gretchen Whitmer approved, represent a further effort to fill the void left by a recent Michigan Supreme Court decision invalidating
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Adopts COVID-19 Emergency Rule
In the wake of the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision invalidating the law that served as the basis for Governor Whitmer’s emergency COVID-19 orders since April 30, 2020, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is the latest agency to codify requirements contained in
Michigan’s Latest COVID-19 Developments: What Employers Need to Know
In the wake of the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the state’s COVID-19-related executive orders, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued new orders, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has ramped up enforcement of COVID-19-related protocols, and local counties are issuing their own
Michigan Agency Continues to Issue Emergency Health Orders and Guidance on Face Coverings and Gatherings
In light of the Michigan Supreme Court’s March 2, 2020 order nullifying over 100 of the governor’s COVID-19 executive orders, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to issue health-related orders to protect Michigan residents.
Michigan Agency Steps Up Mask Mandate and Other Requirements to Fill Void Created by Nullification of COVID-19 Executive Orders
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued an emergency order prohibiting certain gatherings and mandating masks, partially filling the gap created by the Michigan Supreme Court’s October 2, 2020 opinion nullifying the governor’s post-April 30, 2020 COVID-19 executive order
In Fractured Opinion, Michigan Supreme Court Strikes Down Governor’s Emergency Authority
On October 2, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 (EPGA), MCL 10.31, et seq., was an unconstitutional delegation of power by the legislative branch to the administrative branch. Governor Whitmer had been relying on the EPGA as the authority
Michigan Extends Protection for Residents and Employees of Long-Term Care Facilities
On September 30, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-191, maintaining previously enacted infection control protocols in long-term care facilities and protections for its residents and employees.
Michigan Issues Three Executive Orders Relaxing Gathering Restrictions, Re-opening Cinemas, and Requiring Facemasks for Kindergarteners
Michigan Considers Enhanced Data Breach Notification Law
Privacy and security continue to be at the forefront for legislatures across the nation, despite (or perhaps because of) the COVID-19 pandemic. In late May, with back-to-back amendments, Washington D.C. and Vermont significantly overhauled their data breach notification laws, including expansion of the definition of personal information, and heightened notice
Michigan Extends its Safety Measures for Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, and Long-Term Care Facilities
On September 5, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-178, which continues protections offered under previous Executive Order 2020-168 (now rescinded) for frontline workers in grocery stores and pharmacies.
Michigan, Get Out Your Sports Gear, Gym Bag, and Swim Suits: Gyms and Pools are Now Open and Competitive Sports are Back in Session
Due to the plateau of COVID-19 cases in Michigan, on September 3, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-176 to “carefully and deliberately relax some restrictions.” Most notably, the Order permits organized sports practices and competitions to resume and allows for the reopening of gymnasiums, fitness facilities, and
Michigan’s New Executive Order Modifies Worker “Stay-At-Home” Requirements
On August 27, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-172, which rescinded Executive Order 2020-166 and provides further guidance and protections to workers who stay home when they or their close contacts are sick.