The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a pivotal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various aspects of employment. To remain compliant, employers must adhere to essential guidelines covering hiring, workplace policies, job accommodations, and employment conditions. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of ADA compliance requirements.

In a case coming before the U.S. Supreme Court, the question before the court is “what do white people and other members of a majority group have to prove to win a claim for reverse discrimination?” It’s an interesting proposition because many federal courts require an additional step for a majority group to demonstrate discrimination.

As organizations push for return-to-office (RTO) mandates, a new workplace trend has emerged: task masking. This behavior, where employees appear busy without necessarily being productive, is a growing concern for HR professionals striving to foster genuine engagement and efficiency.

Some of the hottest topics today have to do with the future. Topics like artificial intelligence, which is seen as the next big wave of technology that will sweep our workplaces, are all the rage today. Additionally, leaders seem obsessed with generational knowledge, specifically Generation Z. So let's look into the future and examine the next generation entering your workplace, GENERATION ALPHA!!

Some recent developments are offering a glimpse of what the bizzarro world of the Republican Trump administration and his union support looks like. Most recently, is UAW President Shaun Fain giving warm public kudos to President Trump over his tariff initiatives; second is the incoming Labor Secretary who is also a Republican but supported the radical PRO Act that is being reintroduced again; and thirdly, is new labor legislation introduced just last week that would shorten the time between...

Federal contractor minimum wage case is set up for Supreme Court:  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has reversed a Texas federal court’s decision that invalidated President Biden’s executive order increasing the hourly minimum wage for employees of federal contractors. The appeals court upheld the minimum wage mandate, concluding it was a valid exercise of presidential authority.

In a recent episode of "WorkLife with Adam Grant," organizational psychologist Adam Grant engages in a thought-provoking conversation with David Dunning, the renowned psychologist behind the Dunning-Kruger effect. The Dunning-Kruger effect is when people who don’t know much about something think they know a lot. It happens because they don’t have enough knowledge to see what they’re missing. This can cause havoc in the workplace.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), sometimes expanded to include Accessibility (DEIA), has faced criticism in the media for being perceived as entitlement-driven, disconnected from the broader population, lacking genuine inclusivity, and focused on meeting quotas. During the first Trump administration, some government agencies implemented DEI training that framed all white individuals as inherently privileged and prejudiced, reportedly separating them into different rooms for...

Late into the evening on Thursday February 20th, just before the Earned Sick Time Act and Minimum Wage Act were to take effect, the Michigan Legislature amended the two laws. The amended laws were brought about by two ballot initiatives in 2017 and 2018 that were passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Snyder at the end of their terms. This “adopt and amend” action was found unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court last summer. The Court ruled that the original two...

As the rapid growth of AI in the workplace continues, many employees and employers are utilizing AI notetaking tools and meeting recording and transcribing software. Although these are great tools, there are some legal concerns and steps employers should take to remain compliant with their state and federal recording laws.

Employee turnover is costly for companies, posing significant business risks. A new analysis by The Conference Board highlights the strong business case for investing in talent retention – not just to mitigate turnover costs but to enhance competitiveness as well.

Daylight Savings starts March 9th: Set your clocks forward one hour Sunday morning, March 10^th. Daylight Saving Time was first proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895, and its use in the U.S. was first mandated during World War I. It was subsequently used on and off for years by various countries and U.S. states./p>

The last few years have been transformative for workforce management. Remote and hybrid work models are now commonplace, artificial intelligence became deeply integrated into workflows, and multi-generational teams brought new complexities to team dynamics. Unsurprisingly, many managers are feeling overwhelmed by these expanding responsibilities.

Here we are at the beginning of a new year again. This is a good time to review all of your background and drug screening forms, policies, and procedures.

New Year’s resolutions often come as an afterthought, hurriedly picked and quickly forgotten. But thoughtful goal setting can set the tone for a successful year ahead. To inspire your own professional resolutions, HR Brew gathered insights from HR leaders across the industry. Their forward-thinking goals offer actionable ideas for shaping your HR strategy in 2025.

As 2024 ended, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its annual report on workplace fatalities and injuries that occurred the prior year (2023). There was a total of 5,283 workplace deaths that year. Fatalities dropped 3.7% from 2022. This report provides a lot of details, some of which we report below. More complete information is available at the BLS website.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) permeates throughout the organization, it leads to a new type of organizational structure: the diamond shaped structure.  Although still early in the AI development, jobs will be changed or taken over by AI.  As such, the structure of the organization and career lattice for employees will change. 

IRS mileage rate increases to $.70 per mile:  The Internal Revenue Service announced that the optional standard mileage rate for automobiles driven for business will increase by 3 cents in 2025, while the mileage rates for vehicles used for other purposes will remain unchanged from 2024.

Right or wrong, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) are gaining traction—not necessarily as a pathway for employee growth but as a strategic tool for reducing headcount. Though intended to provide structured opportunities for improvement, PIPs are often criticized as thinly veiled mechanisms to prepare employees for termination while shielding companies from potential lawsuits.

As one year ends and another begins, people worldwide embrace the tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions. Similarly, in the workplace, goals and objectives are critical tools for shaping an organization's direction. While both aim to inspire progress, the similarities and differences between personal resolutions and professional goals reveal insights into motivation, accountability, and success.

Michigan’s 102^nd legislative session is scheduled to end January 8, 2025. However, the House seems to have adjourned for the year and there are just a couple more days that the Senate is scheduled to be in session.

Workplace landscapes have continued to evolve this year.  Employers have had to navigate challenges like continued skills shortages and high employee expectations, but at the same time have been presented with opportunities to re-approach how they attract and hire talent.  The integration of artificial intelligence, the emphasis on skills over credentials, and the growing demand for transparency are just some of the shifts reshaping talent acquisition in the coming year....

PBMs or Pharmacy Benefit Managers are under the gun these days. PBMs are third party administrators for many types of drug care plans, especially those covering employers. PBMs earn revenues in a variety of ways. First, they collect administrative and service fees from the original insurance plan. Second, they can also collect rebates from the manufacturer. Third, and more controversial, they can resell drugs at a price higher that than the price negotiated with the manufacturer or...

EAD renewal extension has been increased to 540 days: A final rule by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) permanently increases the automatic extension period for expiring employment authorization and/or employment authorization documents (Forms I-766 or EADs) for certain renewal applicants. The finalization of this rule makes permanent a recent temporary rule and helps prevent eligible renewal EAD applicants from experiencing a...

The holiday season brings us many joys: glittering lights, warm cocoa, and the ever-watchful presence of the Elf on the Shelf. This tiny elf has something in common with another entity that keeps us on our toes all year round – Human Resources. Let's see who does the job better!