Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)’s Post

You can now view the recording of our joint webinar with the National Labor Relations Board, where we discussed safeguarding employees’ rights to organize, engage with one another to seek better working conditions and choose whether or not to have a collective bargaining representative negotiate on their behalf with their employer. Check out the recording ➡️ https://bit.ly/3w8YfcZ #WorkplaceRightsWeek

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Now is a time for us to celebrate and honor the contributions of our Asian Pacific neighbors here in Michigan and across the nation. #AAPIHeritageMonth

ICYMI: Check out the recording of last week's #WorkplaceRightsWeek webinar! Hear from LEO's Deputy Director of Labor, Sean Egan, and Bureau of Employment Relations Director, Sidney McBride as they discuss updates on changes to the Public Employees Relations Act. View the recording ➡️ https://bit.ly/3wk59fo

Today is the last day to submit your challenges! The Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office will close the BEAD State Challenge Process tonight at 11:59 pm. This challenge process is the way in which MIHI will determine the unserved, underserved and served status of every home, business and community anchor institution in the state. Don't miss your chance to submit your challenge! ⬇️ Michigan.gov/BEADChallenge

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has preliminary approval of a class action settlement to resolve issues that arose during the national health pandemic. The agreement allows the UIA to continue to focus on an agency transformation into a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service. “This settlement agreement lets us focus staff and resources on customer service and the reforms we are making at the Unemployment Insurance Agency that benefit Michigan workers and employers alike,” UIA Director Julia Dale said. The lawsuit was brought by workers who said the UIA ordered them to pay back pandemic-era jobless benefits before resolving protests or appeals. https://bit.ly/4aXzgbB

Governor Whitmer was joined by Director Corbin today as she signed Executive Directive 2024-1 to help train 5,000 new infrastructure workers, who will each earn an industry-recognized certificate or credential or receive on-the-job training. LEO will work to ensure all 5,000 workers receive their training and are placed in good-paying jobs. https://bit.ly/44mV0uZ

LEO's Mental Health in the Workplace monthly webinar series features discussions around the importance of investing in mental health to build stronger, more resilient workplaces. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we've added additional webinars to our lineup of events tied to our LEO Labor focus on Workplace Mental Health! This week, we will be discussing the impacts of children's mental health on the workforce. Join us on Thursday, May 2 at 2 p.m. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3w48nDX

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced a final rule to help employers properly classify workers as either independent contractors or employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. As part of our #WeekplacceRightsWeek celebration, the joint webinar with USDOL focused on how the final ruling with affect Michigan businesses. In case you missed it, view the webinar in full ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Qnu3BJ

Mich. Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Julia Dale had a clear message to lawmakers at a Thursday hearing: “We fight fraud wherever it occurs, internal or external.” Beyond a focus on stopping fraud: “The UIA is driving Michigan forward for both workers and employers.” The agency is focused on the future, innovating, transforming and modernizing how we serve the residents of Michigan. Watch the video of the hearing (Director Dale’s part begins at about the 36-minute mark): https://bit.ly/3QkPWS8

In honor of #WorkersMemorialDay, representatives from LEO and MIOSHA, in collaboration with The Christman Company, Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council and construction trade representatives, visited a Neogen Corporation construction site in Lansing today to talk with working people about the significance of workplace safety rights and commemorate those who have lost their lives on the job.