Bill, a 64-year-old husband and father of four, picks up a call from his sister. After some small talk, the tone of his sister's voice changes notably. She's got something to say but doesn't quite...

Every September, the Traverse City Business News spotlights 40 local professionals under age 40 who excel with their economic impact on the region and in the community. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the annual 40Under40...

Boutique Law Firm Kicks Off Year Five with A New Location This month, Danbrook Adams Raymond PLC, DAR Law, celebrates its five-year anniversary of bringing peace of mind to individuals, families, and businesses in Northern...

The green double-tailed mermaid Starbucks logo beckons weary airport travelers, early morning risers, long-day workers, and virtually all parents of small children who need a little extra pep in their step throughout the day. Customers...

Incompass Michigan, the statewide network of mission driven organizations promoting community access and inclusion for people with disabilities and other barriers, presented its 48th Leadership Conference June 8-10 at the Delamar Hotel in Traverse City....

Analyzing Undue Hardship In Religious Accommodation And Exemption Requests When deciding employee religious exemption requests, many employers operate under the misconception that freedom of religion is absolute in the private workplace, completely overlooking the undue...

Incapacity is Never Black & White A single tear falls from his cheek as he struggles to find the word. A missed mortgage payment, a transposed number, a forgotten appointment, silent confusion. Is it a...

Remember that first day of your new job? Sitting anxiously and nervously as that kind human resource manager patiently walked you through endless stacks of "on-boarding" paperwork. Remember the beneficiary designation form you filled out...

Workplace Culture Assessments an Eye-Opening Tool Scroll through Indeed, Monster, or any other job site at the moment and you will find endless employers describing themselves as "a great place to work," "like family" and...

Workplace Safety Compliance Reduces Employer Exposure In Michigan, an employee alleging whistleblower retaliation pertaining to COVID-19-related workplace safety issues may file an action in court pursuant to Michigan's Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) or a complaint...

Michigan Employers' Guide to MIOSHA Emergency Rules and COVID-19 Legislation In the past few months, Michigan businesses have been impacted by rising COVID-19 cases, MIOSHA Emergency Rules, a package of COVID-19 statutes, and MDHHS orders....

Practical Considerations For The Post-Shutdown Workplace Now that your business is reopened, what happens if an employee contracts COVID-19? Are you required to grant an employee's request for leave related to COVID-19? Are you still...

Implementing Required COVID-19 Mitigation Measures The northern Michigan regions are the first regions in Michigan to be granted broader permission to reopen businesses due to their low numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths, as compared...

Legal developments to consider ahead of 2020 The holiday season is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. However, making resolutions for your business can be overwhelming, especially with the...

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, there has been a surge in the number of sexual harassment charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In October 2019, the EEOC reported its fiscal...

FCRA lawsuits against employers on the rise The name of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) elicits visions of "what's your credit score" commercials and retail counter credit card pitches. In spite of its name,...

Our region's gently rolling topography is spotted with endless rows of grape trellises winding toward the turquoise lakeshore. Each year, more of our agricultural landscape continues to be converted to grape production. Why, you ask?...

In March 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule that would increase the salary thresholds that "white collar" and "highly compensated" employees must be paid to qualify as exempt from overtime...

Starting a business is like navigating a vessel through unfamiliar waters. It requires courage, vision and direction. While courage and vision may or may not be within one's control, start-ups can most definitely secure solid...

Recently, a client shared a story with me that I will never forget. While skiing out west, he rode a chairlift with a young woman in her mid-twenties. As they chatted, he asked her what...