News Update: Promised Waivers fall short. According to recent reporting, the waiver program was much smaller than promised. Although waivers for 55,000 more claimants is a good step forward, it fell short of the 382,000 promised and as of May 12, 2022 there is still no explanation about when or if more will be coming.
We are open and working remotely without interruption and providing virtual consultations.
IF YOU ARE REACHING OUT REGARDING AN UNEMPLOYMENT MATTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Category: Unemployment Insurance Claimants
UIA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT-WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Since the first lawsuit against the Unemployment Agency (UIA), the biggest question we get is “how do I join“. Potentially hundreds of thousands of Michiganders have been subject to illegal collection activity or had payments suspended as alleged in the Saunders and Kreps lawsuits. The short answer is that those potentially impacted must wait for court approval and will receive notice (more on this at how to join a class action).
10/26/2022 UPDATE: CLASS CERTIFICATION REQUESTED. Saunders Lawsuit Plaintiffs have submitted their Motion for Class Certification and await a ruling from the court.
To learn more about the allegations against the UIA collection practices, read on. Continue reading “UIA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT-WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW “
COVID-19 Employment Law Updates and Legal Resources (Updated 12/21/2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present many challenges for the Michigan workplace. The law and circumstances are changing almost daily. We are regularly monitoring and updating workplace rights resources we have found helpful. Additional Blanchard & Walker Resource Pages and Factsheets provide more detailed discussion on specific COVID-19 topics:
- Workplace Safety – Industry Specific and Local Guidance in Michigan
- UIA Unemployment Benefits in Michigan under COVID-19
- The Courts and COVID-19
Keep in mind this is not intended to be legal advice. Legal rights in any individual case need to be evaluated in consultation with an attorney. Continue reading “COVID-19 Employment Law Updates and Legal Resources (Updated 12/21/2020)”
RETURN-TO-WORK: WORKPLACE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING COVID-19
For those who are working in public during the COVID-19 outbreak, effective workplace safety is a great concern. For everyone’s safety, violations should be reported to local public health departments and appropriate state agencies. Discrimination or retaliation for raising COVID-19 workplace safety concerns is prohibited.
Continue reading “RETURN-TO-WORK: WORKPLACE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING COVID-19”
COVID-19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present many challenges for the Michigan workplace. The law and circumstances are changing almost daily. We are regularly monitoring and updating workplace rights resources we have found helpful. Additional Blanchard & Walker Resource Pages and Factsheets provide more detailed discussion on specific COVID-19 topics:
- Workplace Safety – Industry Specific and Local Guidance in Michigan
- UIA Unemployment Benefits in Michigan under COVID-19
- The Courts and COVID-19
Continue reading “COVID-19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES”
COVID-19 UNEMPLOYMENT AND PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Since April 2020, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has been accepting applications for the broadest category of potential recipients under federal law reforms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers defined as “self-employed” or otherwise defined as independent contractors are able to claim unemployment benefits as a result of the federal disaster relief package known as the CARES Act. And workers who ran out of benefit weeks after January 1, 2020 will be able to re-qualify for additional benefits weeks up to 39 weeks of total benefits. Under the December 2020 supplemental stimulus package, those benefits may now extended up to 50 weeks for claimants still unemployed in 2021.
Click here to visit the State Website to Apply for Michigan Unemployment Benefits
Continue reading “COVID-19 UNEMPLOYMENT AND PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE RESOURCES”
COVID -19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES
The COVID-19 Outbreak is presenting many challenges for the Michigan workplace. Yet the law and circumstances are changing almost daily. We are regularly monitoring and updating workplace rights resources we have found helpful. We are updating this material as it becomes available. Keep in mind this is not intended to be legal advice. Legal rights in any individual case need to be evaluated in consultation with an attorney.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND COVID-19
As of April 13, 2020, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has begun accepting applications for the broadest category of potential recipients under federal law reforms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “COVID -19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES”
COVID-19 and Employment Law Practices – Q&A with Angela Walker
Attorney Angela Walker on COVID-19, advising employees, and the practice of law. This article was originally prepared for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education March 27, 2020. The original post can be found here. 
Angela Walker is a founding partner at Blanchard & Walker PLLC. Angela handles severance negotiations and career strategies for her clients. She has extensive experience with equal pay, sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and disability rights cases. Here, Angela shares some of her thoughts on practicing during this time, as well as her analysis of some of the biggest issues facing employees. Continue reading “COVID-19 and Employment Law Practices – Q&A with Angela Walker”
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Responding to the Coronavirus Outbreak as legal professionals means constant monitoring so that we can provide clients and callers with the most up-to-date information and advice possible. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act has temporarily expanded paid leave rights in two important ways: creating a paid sick leave benefit for certain workers affected by the outbreak and a 12 week paid caregiver leave for parents caring for minor children during school closures. How does it work? Continue reading “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”
Michigan Workers and COVID-19: Updates and Resources
COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits
Michigan Unemployment Benefits Expanded in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
Confronting the COVID-19 outbreak has raised many questions among Michigan Workers, many are struggling with unique job interruption issues: lay-offs, work-stoppages, individual medical leave, or caregiver leave. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Order late Monday expanding or confirming unemployment eligibility for Michigan workers impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Continue reading “Michigan Workers and COVID-19: Updates and Resources”