Jason Moon
LANSING – The State’s Return-to-Office Workgroup has provided Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with their recommendations for how employers can begin to plan for a safe, phased reopening of offices. The group consisting of business, labor and public health experts, was established on March 15, and has acted quickly to develop concise recommendations regarding Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) polices and additional guidance and best practices to help employers plan for a return to in-person office work.
“Workers and their safety are our top priority,” said Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan. “We have taken a proactive approach to listen and collect feedback from a wide array of stakeholders, as we try to address challenges and concerns of employers who are looking to align their reopen plans with health guidance and safety rules.”
DBusiness Magazine
Business Groups Concerned by New Michigan Workplace Rules
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, Michigan Manufacturers Association, and Michigan Retailers Association, all based in Lansing, are expressing concern as a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) advisory committee announced plans to move forward with extending COVID-19 workplace rules on a permanent basis.
Michigan business associations are concerned as MIOSHA plans to move forward with extending COVID-19 workplace rules on a permanent basis. // Stock photo
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, Michigan Manufacturers Association, and Michigan Retailers Association, all based in Lansing, are expressing concern as a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) advisory committee announced plans to move forward with extending COVID-19 workplace rules on a permanent basis.
The state of Michigan plans to extend COVID-19 emergency business place rules that expire Wednesday, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday the extension does not mean six more months of prohibitions on in-office work.
Whitmer said her administration is working with businesses, labor and public health experts to promulgate what that back-to-work cadence looks like. But at this juncture, with our high positivity numbers, it s really important that we extend for another six months so that we have the ability to work through what these protocols look like and get people back into the workplace when it s safe to do so with the right protocols, Whitmer said at a Ypsilanti press conference.
Return-to-Office Workgroup established to keep track of company safety.
By Shereen Hashem
Mar 17, 2021
Some Michiganders are at the edge of their seats, eager to get back to the office. As the state increases vaccine distribution, more employees are preparing for in-person work.
The State of Michigan established the Return-to-office Workgroup consisting of business, labor and public health experts providing Governor Gretchen Whitmer with information on plans to reopen.
This will go along with the rules and regulations of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as well as Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).
Workplace safety still remains a concern even though COVID-19 cases are decreasing in the state. Local public health departments say office workplaces have had 275 outbreaks over the last six months.