Restart: Human Resources Guidance

Michiganders can finally return to the office to work as of May 24. As companies start to make the transition of having employees come into the office, some businesses are making the transition slowly to make sure their workers feel safe.

The 2020 elections delivered control of the key policy making functions to Democrats, putting President Biden and members of his party in a position to reshape the tax code.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, Priority Health and Total Health Care are among a growing number of insurers waiving cost sharing for the next four months, including co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance, for inpatient, outpatient, laboratory testing, ER visits, ambulatory services and medications and vaccines associated with the virus.

Michelle L. Kolkmeyer of Bodman’s Workplace Law Group offered insight on whether mandating employees take a COVID-19 vaccine is possible and offered advice to employers. Kolkmeyer engaged in a one-on-one discussion with Brad Williams, vice president of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Learn more about the new Henry Ford @ Work offering to help businesses manage team members who need COVID-19 assessment and follow-up.

MIOSHA will conduct inspections at workplaces with traditional office settings to review how rules are being followed and enhance compliance. Learn more about the rules businesses should be following and resources to ensure the safest possible working conditions for employees and customers.

As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise across the state, all eyes are on businesses to crack down on COVID-19-related safety practices. Despite pervasive caution fatigue as the state is more than seven months into the pandemic, it is more important than ever to adhere to safety protocols in the workplace. Updates are expected this week regarding increased monitoring and enforcement of safety protocols in Michigan businesses.

1 p.m. | Participants will come away with an understanding of steps they can take now to better prepare themselves for when a cyber breach happens to them.

Recent measures on legal immigration including presidential proclamations are impacting many U.S. businesses. Rami Fakhoury, managing director of Fakhoury Global Immigration, provided insight on how these recent developments are affecting the ability of U.S. businesses to meet their talent mobility objectives.

JS Clark Agency’s Compliance Director, Jennifer Young, provided context and clarification on the latest COVID-19 legislative and regulatory updates that impact employee benefits.

Plunkett Cooney attorneys discussed what businesses need to know about how commercial real estate and business operations will continue to change. The rapid-fire discussion covered topics from financial considerations to landlord or tenant issues to workforce management concerns related to COVID-19.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with CO— by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, highlighted how small businesses are successfully transforming the challenges presented by COVID-19 into opportunities.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase mental health issues nationally, addressing the needs of employees dealing with these challenges is critical to business restart and recovery. Hear strategies and best practices from health care and wellness experts to support employees.

One of your employees was diagnosed as a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case. What should you do?

This session will give practical advice to help with recovery planning. Talent analytics, return-to-office surveys, scenario planning, and re-entry tactics are the keys to understanding who could remain at home long-term, what space will be needed, and how much re-entry may cost.

WW is offering Detroit Regional Chamber members access to “WW AT WORK” virtual workshops. Learn more.

Now that Michigan has transitioned into phase four of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan, what does this mean for businesses attempting to resume operations in a safe and secure way?

Chamber Vice President of Government Relations Brad Williams spoke with Natalie Chmiko, vice president of Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and International Trade for MEDC in a Tele-Town Hall on the free PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform.

As employers prepare to resume operations, employee wellness must remain top of mind whether employees are going back on-site or if they will remain working at home for the time being. Explore resources below for keeping employees engaged and healthy amid COVID-19.

Join Accenture’s Health Practice leaders as they paint a compelling picture reimagining the future of health care which seamlessly connects care, society, and work.

As businesses restart and begin operating in the “new normal,” understanding the unique challenges and strategies of crisis management and business continuity planning is paramount. This includes monitoring and managing cash flow and liquidity.

With the generous support of MEDC, NEI, Michigan-based foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and in collaboration with the SBA, the Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund has secured funds to provide recovery grants and loans to diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses from underrepresented groups in Michigan. 

Building on Deloitte’s prior studies of recession playbooks, this session shares six imperatives for how Chief Financial Officers can help their companies navigate disruption.

As government and health officials begin to set parameters around reopening businesses, bringing your people back onsite successfully won’t be as simple as flipping a switch.

Miller Canfield’s Richard Walawender, Corporate and Transactions Group co-leader and Brad Arbuckle, principal attorney will discuss issues such as problems with logistics, bankruptcies, pricing disputes, force majeure, production delays, and liquidity squeeze.

As businesses restart and begin operating in the “new normal,” understanding the unique challenges and strategies of crisis management and business continuity planning is paramount. This includes monitoring and managing cash flow and liquidity.

Given the human dimension of urgent workforce challenges and the uncertainties facing business leaders, the economic and business recovery from COVID-19 will require workforce strategies that focus on both short-term priority actions and long-term reaching for the future normal.

Furloughed employees agree to take an unpaid leave of absence in an effort to help their organizations cut costs temporarily.

Clark Hill’s Maria Fracassa Dwyer spoke with the Detroit Regional Chamber on how employers should transition their employees back to work once the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives” order is lifted. 

As companies transition employees back into the workplace, safety and mental health are top of mind. Learn more about strategies to help employers navigate reopening businesses during COVID-19.