Governor Whitmer Enacts Key Amendments to Michigan’s Wage and Sick Time Laws, Impacting Workers and Employers Statewide

Lansing, MI — On February 21, 2025, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer enacted significant changes to the state’s labor laws, signing two pivotal bills that amend the Michigan Wage Act and the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). These legislative adjustments arrived just in time to preempt the existing laws previously slated to take effect by judicial order. The revisions brought about by these new laws aim to adjust compensation dynamics and paid sick leave provisions in ways that will impact both workers and employers across the state. Among the key changes is an accelerated increase in … Read more

Michigan’s New Labor Laws Await Final Approval: What Changes for Workers and Employers?

Lansing, MI — Michigan workers may soon experience changes in their pay and sick leave benefits as new legislation awaits Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s signature. The recently approved bills, resulting from bipartisan compromise, aim to modify existing labor laws concerning the state’s minimum wage and tipped wage credit, alongside adjustments to how paid sick leave is managed. In particular, these legislative changes are set to introduce phased increases in the state’s minimum wage, while maintaining specific wage conditions for tipped employees. Advocates of the bill argue that these adjustments provide a balanced approach, protecting workers’ rights … Read more

Employers and Benefit Administrators Urge Congressional Action Against Rising Drug Costs Amid State Law Surge

As the cost of prescription drugs continues to climb, employers and benefits plan administrators across the United States are urging Congress to consider legislation that would reform the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This push is fueled by a growing body of state laws aimed at curbing PBM practices that many argue contribute to higher healthcare expenses. Industry experts highlight that while PBMs are tasked with managing prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurers, employers, and Medicare Part D drug plans, there are increasing concerns about their role in the escalation of drug … Read more

Facing Jury Duty: Are UK Employers Doing Enough to Support Their Employees’ Well-Being and Financial Needs?

LONDON — Each year, 200,000 individuals across the United Kingdom are called to perform jury service, an essential though unpaid task of civic duty. This obligation requires any citizen aged between 18 and 70, chosen randomly from the electoral registry, to dedicate at least 10 days to potentially deciding the fate of those accused in criminal trials. Serving on a jury places ordinary citizens into the heart of crown courts, where they are exposed to intense and often disturbing realities of criminal behavior. For many, including seasoned professionals like journalists who regularly encounter reports of … Read more