Employers are facing an unprecedented mix of challenges that make long-term planning increasingly difficult. The impending tariffs, economic uncertainty, and today’s unpredictable political climate are creating a complex business environment where stability is hard to find. ASE hears daily from business leaders grappling with these concerns and looking for ways to adapt.

The Michigan Going PRO Talent Fund offers more than $55 million to employers for training that leads to a worker credential for skills that are transferable and recognized by industry. Though focused on hard skill training, Going PRO grants can be used to develop supervisor skills in the employer’s workforce. 

Although Executive Order 11246 is revoked, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)is still finding relevance.  Section 4212 (VEVRAA) and Section 503 (Disabled) Affirmative Action Plans (AAPs) are required by regulation, and OFCCP has stated that the agency will resume audits of these plans at some point.  More recently, with a new Director in place, the OFCCP may be the first line of attack against federal contractor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)...

Have you ever started reading a book or article so dry and uninteresting that pushing past the first few paragraphs felt like a chore? Job postings far too often have the same effect. If your position postings attract a flood of unqualified applicants with only a few possessing the necessary skills, the issue may lie more within your job posting than with a lack of available talent. In a job market where employers continue to compete for strong talent, well-written postings can serve as a...

Summer is approaching fast. Many employers employ minors during their summer break from school. Employers should keep in mind that youth employment generally requires a work permit – even when school is on summer break. If you have work for a person 17 years or younger, be aware of the employer’s obligations under the Youth Employment Standards Act. (1978 PA 90, MCL 445.106)

Employees are wary of 360 reviews: More than three in four employees have expressed their desire to opt out of 360-degree feedback evaluation systems amid concerns that it could be misused in the workplace, according to a new survey. LiveCareer's poll among 1,000 employees in the United States found that 71% of organizations are using 360-degree reviews regularly.

Gen Z in the workplace: Gen Z workers want their jobs to be more than just a job. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 86% of Gen Z workers said having a sense of purpose is important to their overall job satisfaction and well-being. Additionally, 75% of Gen Z and millennial workers said an organization’s community engagement and societal impact is an important factor when considering a potential employer.  Environmental sustainability is also a top...

Employee engagement surveys are essential tools for organizations to gauge the level of investment and motivation among their employees. Engaged employees are not only more productive but are also more likely to remain with the company long-term. By conducting these surveys regularly, organizations can gain valuable insights into employee satisfaction, enabling them to identify issues and improve the workplace environment. The benefits of employee engagement surveys are numerous, making them...

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in 2023 women who were full-time wage and salary workers had median usual weekly earnings that were 84% of male full-time wage and salary workers. This situation is up 22% from 1979, the first year for which comparable earnings data are available, when women’s earnings were 62% of men’s earnings.  Per the BLS, the majority of this closing of the pay gap was between 1980 and 2003. From 2004 to 2023, the...

In a recent case decided by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (Michigan is in this district), the Plaintiff worked at a social services agency as their Director of Social Services. She had recently been hired and raised several complaints about management, including concerns that patient care and staff performance were inadequate. Over time, her internal concerns grew and eventually reached the Agency’s Executive Director. 

In the wake of the 2024 elections, the impact of the Trump administration on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is poised to undergo significant shifts. Traditionally a cornerstone of American workplace safety, OSHA's regulatory framework may experience a noticeable pivot towards deregulation. This anticipated move reflects the administration's historical stance on reducing government intervention in business practices. 

Workplace culture is evolving, and HR professionals are at the forefront of this transformation. The old norms – fake empathy, hustle culture, and an obsession with productivity – are being replaced with a more human-centered approach. What’s driving this change? A simple yet powerful idea: love as a business strategy.

As leaders, we are constantly faced with opportunities, challenges, and new initiatives vying for our attention. The ability to focus has never been more critical, yet it is often misunderstood. Steve Jobs captured this idea perfectly when he said:

Neurodivergent individuals – those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences – bring unique perspectives and strengths that can greatly benefit organizations. However, without proper support and accommodations, they may struggle to thrive. With April 2nd being World Autism Awareness Day, let’s look at how HR professionals can identify and create an inclusive environment for neurodivergent employees.

The EEOC on January 29th issued a statement that called for the reversal of former President Biden’s gender approach to EEOC complaints and investigations.  Specifically, Executive Order 14166, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” directed federal agencies to enforce laws governing sex-based rights, protections, opportunities, and accommodations to protect men and women as biologically distinct...

As Millennials and Gen Z professionals reshape the workplace, there is a growing emphasis on employee wellbeing. Today, wellbeing is no longer a secondary benefit but a strategic priority for organizations looking to attract and retain top talent.

Increasingly, employers are requiring employees to return from remote work. The business benefits cited most often include strengthening the organization’s culture and increasing productivity. CCH HR Insights reports on a recent Express Employment Professional-Harris Poll survey that cited workplace friendships could be an “accelerator” to moving employees back to the office.

Federal contractor minimum wage executive order revoked: President Trump rescinded the executive order increasing the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $15 an hour, leaving an uncertain future for the U.S. Department of Labor rule implementing the order and ongoing court challenges to the rule.

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.