1. Q & A from the MMA H.R. Help Line
1. “Union” Notice Required
2. The Cost of Daylight Savings Time
3. Protection for Learning Disabilities
2. MMA Fall Seminar Catalog Now Available
3. Policy Committee Members Discuss Unemployment Insurance Reform
4. NAM and NFIB Launch Ad Campaign Before House Vote to Rein in NLRB Agenda
5. Office of Regulatory Reinvention Creates Inspection & Permitting Advisory Rules Committee
6. Michigan Continues to Lead Nation in Public Health Preparedness
7. Governor Wants Michigan to Become a Healthier State
8. Governor Pushing for Mandated Autism Coverage
9. Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses and Employees
10. Survey Shows Half of Employers Conduct Drug Tests on Final Job Candidates
11. Auto Enrollment Increases Participation, Not Preparing Employees for Retirement Study Shows
12. New Date & Location for MMA Seminar: Generations in the Workforce
13. Registration Still Open for MMA Seminar Discipline & Termination

1. Q & A from the MMA H.R. Help Line
1. Paperless Payment of Wages
2. Employee Theft
3. Unused Sick Days and Overtime Pay
2. MMA Human Resource Policy Committee to Meet in March
3. MMA Seminar: Workload Management for Leaders
4. MMA Names Delaney Newberry Director of Human Resource Policy
5. Senate Passes Bill to Ban Workplace Ergonomic Standards
6. Attorney General Bill Schuette Praises Florida Court Health Care Ruling
7. How to Successfully Fight Cold and Flu Season in Your Workplace

1. Q & A from the MMA H.R. Help Line
1. Payment upon Death
2. Gone, But Do Not Forget It
3. Dealing with Smoke at Work
2. DOL Defines FMLA “Son and Daughter”
3. Congress Rejects UI Extension
4. Michigan Wins $3.8 Million for On-the-Job Training
5. MMA Opposes Constraints on 1st Amendment Rights
6. Consumer Confidence Rises; Faith in Government Falls

1. Q & A from the MMA H.R. Help Line
1. Health Care Changes for College Students
2. OSHA Campaign to Target High-Risk Industries
3. Employee Privacy Rights and Social Networking Sites
2. Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace
3. Freedom One Announces “Get SMART”™
4. MMA Joins in Opposition to FUTA Surtax Extension
5. The Case for More Women Leaders
6. MMA Regional Meetings
7. MiManufacturingJobs.Com

Q & A from the MMA H.R. Help Line

E-Mail Etiquette

Q. We have been advised that if our company is sued, we can anticipate that all e-mail generated by any employee or manager on a particular issue is subject to be discovered by the other side. Is there a quick set of rules or guidelines we can provide in this regard?

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Overtime Work and Pay Policy

Q. Our company policy requires that the immediate supervisor approve all overtime work. It is common, however, for employees to work overtime that has not been approved. Can we refuse to pay time and a half for these hours?

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Impact of an Employee Break in Service

Q. A long-time employee quit for a “better” job and, after 2 years, was rehired by our company on a full-time basis. Within 6 months of rehire, the employee requested an extended leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for a parent with a serious health condition. Can we refuse the leave because the employee had not been employed at least 12 months at the time of the request?

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Information is provided by the law firm of Clark Hill PLC. If you have additional questions, please e-mail the firm at MMA@clarkhill.com or call the toll free MMA H.R. Help Line at 800-676-9077. MMA is not responsible for information or assistance provided. Information provided in the MMA HR Report and in response to H.R. Help Line inquiries are for general informational purposes only and expressly does not create an attorney-client relationship in any way. Legal counsel should be contacted for specific advice before taking action on the information presented

No Relief in sight for Rising Cost of Health Care

Health care spending continues to rise at a rapid rate, significantly increasing the cost of medical care and health insurance for employers and workers.

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Stopping Identity Theft in Its Tracks

In the past few years, Time Warner, Cingular Wireless, Wal-Mart, Citigroup and many smaller companies across the country have suffered massive security breaches, resulting in devastating lawsuits and/or as much as $1 million to repair damage. Preventing identity theft is critical to protecting your company’s bottom line.

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Seven Hiring Trends for 2009

Fewer employers may be hiring in 2009, but those that are planning to hire also plan to increase salaries, offer more flexible work arrangements, focus on green jobs and retain mature workers.

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It’s MMA Benefit Survey Time!

The trends reported in the article above represent what employers across all sectors are planning for 2009. For manufacturing-specific trends, there is no better source of information than the MMA. Visit our website to learn how you can be a part of the 2008-2009 MMA Benefit Survey and receive a 50 percent discount on the final report.

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Executive Compensation for the Future

The Securities and Exchange Commission recommends that all companies, not just those receiving funding from the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), consider making the changes that are required of TARP recipients.

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New and Improved FMLA Forms

The Department of Labor published new forms covering the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The new FMLA rules address several areas that have complicated the process for employers over the years.

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MidMichigan Innovators: Heading to the Big Leagues

Special recognition will be given to entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses that have cultivated mid-Michigan’s entrepreneurial environment, including established and emerging companies that are critical to growing Michigan’s economy at a special event hosted by the MidMichigan Innovation Center and the Dow Chemical Company. The event, “MidMichigan Innovators: Heading to the Big Leagues” will be held in Midland on 2/4/09.

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Members Receive 90-day trial of MiManufacturingJobs.com

MMA is offering members the opportunity to use MiManufacturingJobs.com at no charge for 90 days. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to attract top talent to your organization.

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Upcoming MMA Events

MMA Co-sponsored Program: 401(k) Leadership Workshop
Troy — 2/2/09

MMA Members-only Workshop: Introducing Michigan’s New Water Withdrawal Regulations
East Lansing — 2/5/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: Beginner’s Chinese
Grand Rapids — 2/6-4/10/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: Fundamentals of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Classification
Grand Rapids — 2/20/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: 11th Annual Automotive Supplier’s Symposium — Successful Evolution
Grand Rapids — 3/5/09

Achieving and Sustaining Profitability
Lansing — 3/6/09

Marketing & Sales Survival Guide: Find Out How to Get More Business Even in this Economy
Lansing — 3/6/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: Green Facilities Conference
Grand Rapids — 3/25/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: Customs Valuation and Assists
Grand Rapids — 4/17/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Grand Rapids — 4/24/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: Foreign-Trade Zones
Grand Rapids — 5/22/09

MMA Co-sponsored Program: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Compliance
Grand Rapids — 6/5/09

1. Forum and Reception Exceed Expectations

MMA hosted its third annual CEO Forum and its annual Legislative & Executive Reception this week bringing more than 100 senior-level executives from Michigan’s manufacturing industry together in an effort to discuss strategies for strengthening the state’s industrial sector.

“This year’s events were the most well-attended, impactful and engaging programs we’ve hosted to date,” said John “Mac” MacIlroy, MMA president and CEO. “I believe the mark for the 2009 Forum and Reception has just been elevated to a new level and we’re proud to have provided such a valuable opportunity to our membership.” More

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2. MMA Works to Block Health Care Mandates

MMA participated in a coordinated effort to oppose 14 health care mandate bills all at once, rather than continuing to fight them one at a time, before the Senate Health Policy Committee this week. More

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3. MIOSHA Commissions Might Lose Funding

A Senate subcommittee took an additional tack this week to try and halt the promulgation of a state-based ergonomics standard. The group wiped out all appropriations funding for two commissions responsible for determining the fate of the burdensome ergonomics standard.

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4. Congress Bans Genetic Discrimination

On a 41-4 vote, the House sent a Senate-amended initiative to the president’s desk at the beginning of the month that prohibits employers and health insurers from requiring genetic tests or discriminating against individuals based on the results of a genetic test. More

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5. Temporary UI Extension Approved by House Committee

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee approved a temporary extension to federal unemployment insurance in mid-April, which is expected to cost an additional $12.2 billion. More

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6. Employers Can Take Advantage of DOL ‘elaws Advisor’

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) posted a new free “elaws advisor,” designed to help job providers determine which of the department’s recordkeeping, reporting and notice requirements apply to them. More

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7. USCIS Improves E-Verify System

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is in the process of improving its E-Verify program, which will allow employers to more easily confirm the employment eligibility of new hires, according to WWJ. More

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8. ASE Survey Shows SE Michigan Manufacturers Plan to Hire

Based on results from a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Employers (ASE), manufacturers in Southeast Michigan plan to do more hiring in 2008 than they expected to do last year. More

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9. Whirlpool Snuffs Out Undercover Smokers

Whirlpool Corporation has suspended 39 production workers at its Evansville, Indiana facility following eyewitness accounts that linked the individuals to smoking on the company’s premises after they filled out health insurance forms claiming to be non-smokers so they could get a reduced premium, according to reports from the National Association of Manufacturers. More

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10. Are you going to be ‘Makin’ It In Michigan?’

To bridge the gap between today’s educational environment and industry’s needs, MMA has created the “Makin It In Michigan” program — but we need your help to foster the next generation of talent for the manufacturing community and to elevate the image of manufacturers in the eyes of key stakeholders.

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In this issue

1. Q&A from the Human Resources Information Line^SM
1. DOL Posts E-Laws Advisor for WARN Act Compliance Assistance
2. Complying with New EE0-1 Report Requirements
3. September is National Preparedness Month
2. Fall MMA Seminars Underway
3. Study: Health Insurance Cost Increases Slow
4. MMA/Amerisure Announce Dividends, Process Change
5. Ergonomics Issue Heats Up
6. Michigan Educational Test Scores Lower, As Expected
7. Talent = Competence x Commitment x Contribution
8. Card Check Legislation Blocked for Now
9. Effectively Managing Telecommuters

In this issue

1. Q&A from the Human Resources Information Line^SM
1. FLSA Classification of Administrative Position
2. Notification Requirements Involving Information Security Breaches
3. Addressing Deafness and Hearing Impairments Under the ADA
2. MMA to Promote Manufacturing Careers
3. Company New Year Resolution: Get Your Employees Physically Fit
4. Premium Discounts Offer Best Incentive for Wellness Program Participation
5. MMA Offers Benchmarking and Lean Seminars
6. Retaining Technical Talent Takes a Different Approach
7. Governor Signs Insurance Compact
8. Many U.S. Employers Shorten 401(k) Waiting Periods

In this issue

1. Q&A from the Human Resources Information Line^SM
1. Vacation Leave for Employees Returning from Military Service
2. U.S. DOL Issues Competency Model to Train Workers for Advanced Manufacturing
3. Off-Duty Misconduct
2. Beware of the Blog
3. Sample Internet and E-mail Policies
4. Deadline Approaches for DOL Manufacturing Training Grants
5. Leveraging HR Technology for Business Success
6. Six Ways to Get Sued
7. Amendment to Immigration Bill Requires Employers to Report New Hires to DHS
8. What Happened to Those New Year Goals?

In this issue

1. Q&A from the Human Resources Information Line^SM
   1. Employee Safety and Health Concerns
   2. U.S. DOL Wage Collections for FLSA Violations and Overtime Exemption Rules
   3. Distinguishing Between Employees and Independent Contractors
2. MMA/MRC HR Surveys Modified to Improve Data, Convenience
3. Survey: Many Employees Believe Top Managers are Often Dishonest
4. Automakers Face Health Care Cost Challenge, Exec Says
5. State House to Examine Health Savings Accounts
6. Study: Minor Improvements Reduce Ergonomic Injury Complaints