[Michlib-l] Library Law Shorts- Corona Virus Edition

[Debbie Mikula]

The Michigan Library Association is hosting a ZOOM meeting at 1pm with Mike Blum, an attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith to talk about employment challenges during this crisis.  We hope you will join us.  Here is the information for today’s Zoom meeting:

Library Employment Policies
Join MLA and Attorney Mike Blum of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC for a live webinar, next Friday, April 17 from 1:00 - 2:00pm.
It is important to ensure that employment policies are current and fully protect the library's legal interests. Employee handbooks are essential for employers in today's litigious environment. However, there are mistakes in drafting policies that could jeopardize an employer's ability to successfully defend employment claims. We will explore phrases and terms that should never be used in employment policies, and discuss do's and don'ts of drafting an effective employee handbook. We will also discuss strategies for getting employees back to work once Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order expires, and how to deal with employees who resist and would prefer to collect unemployment benefits.
This webinar is free to attend for MLA Members. A maximum of 100 attendees can attend the live webinar. Registration is first-come, first-served. You must be an MLA member to register. Nonmembers interested in attending are welcome to join MLA by filling out the online membership application<https://www.milibraries.org/join-or-renew#indmemtypes> or by contacting us at (517) 394-2774 or MLA at milibraries.org<mailto:MLA at milibraries.org>.

Registered attendees will receive information and a link to access the webinar on the zoom platform. A recording of the session will be available on the MLA website for those unable to attend the live event.


From: <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of Luann Elvey via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Reply-To: Luann Elvey <libraryet at yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, April 17, 2020 at 9:40 AM
To: "michlib-l at mcls.org" <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Library Law Shorts- Corona Virus Edition

Before our closure, we made an offer of employment to a part-time employee.  Due to the governors stay at home order, she has been unable to report to work.  Seems to me she can't be the only one in this "gray area", stuck between the desire to report to work and being unable to.

I have been trying to determine if she'd be eligible for unemployment (being that she gave notice to her former employer and hasn't yet started with us), but have been unable to get through on the phone or find anything definitive on the state's website. (She, too, has been trying to get through.)

Does anyone know if she would qualify for unemployment?  Or how are you handling similar situations?

Any advice or guidance is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kelly
East Tawas Library


On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 01:16:18 PM EDT, Membiela, Clare (MDE) via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org> wrote:



Today’s Topic:    Unemployment



Statistics show that potentially 1 out of every 6 Michigan workers will need unemployment assistance. Unfortunately, Library workers are part of that group.



Below are some links and information to assist both library management and staff in navigating the confusing maze of unemployment benefits.



General Information with links to employer and employee specific information

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241---,00.html

https://www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19/





Did you know about the Work Share program? It is an unemployment program in Michigan that permits employers to work reduced hours while also enabling them to obtain unemployment to make up a portion of lost wages.

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241_89981_90231_90233-352546--,00.html



Did you also know that part-time employees (who are not working) are also eligible for unemployment benefits?

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241_98585_98657-525453--,00.html



Need additional information about Unemployment as an employer?

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241_98677---,00.html



as an employee?

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241_98585---,00.html



https://www.michigan.gov/documents/uia/160_-_Claiming_UI_Benefit_In_Michigan_-_Jan2014_444213_7.pdf



Just in general?

https://michiganlegalhelp.org/self-help-tools/employment/unemployment-benefits-and-covid-19-coronavirus (Note the free legal aid help line at the bottom of the page). From Michigan Legal Help.



https://www.michamber.com/coronavirus-toolkit General information, including a webinar on the unemployment process from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce



We here at the Library of Michigan are working remotely and available to assist and provide information. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can help!



Sincerely,

Clare



Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.

Library Law Consultant

Library of Michigan

MembielaC at michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC at michigan.gov>

517-335-8132



The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.








_______________________________________________
Michlib-l mailing list
Michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l at mcls.org>
http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20200417/03b2d1ee/attachment.html>