Governor’s Order Further Expands Unemployment
Last night, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-57, which extends the provisions of earlier orders relating to unemployment. The provisions of the order remain in effect as long as the declared states of emergency and disaster are in effect.
Executive Order 2020-57 builds on and clarifies the previous orders which expanded eligibility for specified reasons relating to COVID-19, suspended work search requirements, expanded the duration of state benefits from 20 to 26 weeks and ensured that employers are not charged for benefits issued under the order.
This new Order significantly expands the Work Share Program to further encourage employers to utilize the program to avoid layoffs. An employer may apply for a work share plan if layoff would be avoided for just 10 percent of employees in a unit; new employees with less than three months on the job may qualify for the plan and the range of work reduction permitted under the program is expanded to 10-60 perecent from the statutory requirement of 15 to 45 percent.
The order also extends benefits to individuals who voluntarily left a job to accept new employment but were unable to start their new position due to the pandemic.
To help manage unprecedented levels of unemployment claims, Executive Order 2020-57 permits state retirees to return to work at the Unemployment Insurance Agency or MIOSHA without impacting their pensions. Additionally, the Unemployment Insurance Agency has released a number of videos to help claimants navigate the system.
For more information or clarification, contact MMA's Delaney McKinley at 517-487-8530 or [email protected].
New & Notable
Critical Infrastructure Workers Can Now Be Tested for COVID-19
The State of Michigan has expanded COVID-19 testing prioritization criteria to include critical infrastructure workers performing in-person work who have been exposed to the virus, whether they have symptoms or not.
Health care providers will continue to prioritize testing for higher-risk patients but, if additional specimen collection and testing capacity is still available, providers can now test exposed critical infrastructure workers.
State Seeking PPE for Homeless Shelters
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Community Service Commission are seeking personal protective equipment (PPE) to fight the spread of COVID-19 in homeless shelters, nursing homes and food banks.
To learn more or to donate, e-mail [email protected] (use “MMA PPE” in the subject line) or call 5173354295. See the notice sent to MMA Policy Committee members for more information.
Resources for Manufacturers
Gallagher’s retirement plan consultants will be discussing provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that may directly impact your retirement plan(s) including distributions, loans and postponement of certain deadlines during a webinar on Friday, 4/24/20, at 1:30 p.m. Bring your questions for Gallagher consultants during this town hall-style virtual event. Register online.
EDSI has developed a Best Practices for Managing through Financial Distress to help manufacturers during this time of crisis and uncertainty.
Stay updated and compliant with the many changes imposed over the last few weeks. Find state, federal and member resources on MMA’s COVID-19 Resources.