MIOSHA partners with NSF International to expand Ambassador Program for businesses across Michigan

November 18, 2020

Contact: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928

Businesses across the state can now schedule free COVID-19 safety consultations as a part of the new Ambassador program partnership with NSF International and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). Ambassadors are conducting outreach to statewide businesses to offer education and support to implement regulations on workplace safety.

“Partnering with NSF allows us to do even more for businesses at a time when we know they need the support,” said COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan. “As experts on public health and safety, NSF brings the exact prowess we need during this challenging time. Together, our Ambassadors will help businesses to understand and comply with changing regulations.”

The partnership with NSF International is enabling MIOSHA to drastically expand access to the program immediately. In addition to tier-one education which provides a brief consultation, businesses can now visit the COVID-19 workplace safety website to schedule tier-two consultations, an in-depth assessment of workplace safety requirements, with NSF International. These in-depth, collaborative meetings will connect employers directly with an Ambassador to identify and implement solutions in their specific workplace free of charge to the business. Tier-two visits are targeted to these at-risk industries: retail stores, restaurants and gyms.

Businesses that successfully complete tier-two visits will soon receive official signage to acknowledge COVID-19 workplace safety commitments and efforts to keep customers and employees safe.

As Michigan continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases, employers must operate in compliance with the current MIOSHA Emergency Rules, MDHHS orders and federal guidelines. Ambassadors will work with business owners and managers to best implement safety directives to help ensure a safe workplace for employees and customers. Ambassadors will utilize the Ambassador Assessment to evaluate required safety precautions and then provide a toolkit of resources for additional ongoing support.

Ambassadors are delivering education toolkits to businesses statewide as part of tier-one efforts for the Ambassador program. The toolkit enables a review of current workplace safety and health procedures to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Ambassadors will not propose citations or issue penalties. They are there to work with businesses to improve conditions and help comply with regulations on workplace safety.

Educational materials in the Ambassador toolkit can be found at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety, including:

• Sample COVID-19 preparedness and response plan
• Re-opening checklist
• Posters
• MIOSHA guidelines
• Factsheets for employers and employees

“We know employers need support, especially as we see cases rise across the state,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “Thanks to the new partnership with NSF International, we’re now equipped to help even more Michigan businesses. Employers can visit our site right now to sign up for a consultation to work directly with one of our Ambassadors.”

Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., NSF International is a global public health organization with a 75-year history of collaboration with businesses, governments and regulatory agencies around the world. The not-for-profit organization protects human health by developing public health and safety standards and providing independent certification and testing services.

“Michigan has been a national leader in providing education and resources to local businesses in response to COVID-19 and we’re proud to support that ongoing effort,” said Paul Medeiros, Managing Director of NSF International’s Consulting and Technical Services group. “We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses and institutions around the world to minimize COVID-19 risks for employees and customers. This program will help Michigan businesses understand regulations and best practices so they can keep their doors open.”

The Ambassador program supports businesses from various industries, including retail stores, restaurants, and gyms where community transmission is heightened.

“We need programs like this to support the business community,” said Scott Ellis, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director. “As business owners, all we want is to keep our doors open and to serve our customers. We’re doing everything we can to create safe spaces, but cases are rising, and we need to be diligent to stem the spread. It’s nice to have support to ensure we are all sharing solutions to keep Michigan safe.”

Employers and employees with specific questions regarding workplace safety and health may contact MIOSHA using the hotline at 855-SAFEC19 (855-723-3219).

Businesses can sign up to participate now at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.

November 17, 2020
Contact: Lynda Robinson, 313-348-8220

The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today provided guidance to workers and employers who may be affected COVID-19.

Reopening Unemployment Claims
Michiganders who were on unemployment, went back to work, and are now temporarily unemployed again due to COVID-19 can reopen their claim online.

Tips to reopening an existing claim:

• Do not create a new account. Use the same MiLogin and MiWAM username and password used previously.
• Reopen a claim on the first day of unemployment or reduced work hours and wages.
• Have the Employer Account Number (EAN) or Federal Identification Number (FEIN) available. It may be provided by your employer or found on an employee’s W-2.
• Payments will be made using the same payment method previously selected.
• Claimants should read and respond to all requests for information to avoid payment delays.
• When certifying for benefits, be sure to report your gross earnings (amount before taxes and other deductions) in the week in which they were earned, not when you were paid.
• After you have completed your claim, a confirmation page will display the date of your next certification, please take note.

More information on filing or reopening an unemployment claim, including FAQs, tutorial videos and other resources are available at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Increased Capacity
“The UIA has increased capacity, improved workflow, and other internal systems, and reduced red tape to meet the unprecedented level of claims that have been filed since the pandemic began,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “These efforts have positioned the agency to better deal with large fluctuations of demand if necessary.”

Working in conjunction with DTMB, server capacity has been increased to ensure any demand spikes related to MiWAM account access can be accommodated. In addition, customer facing staff has more than tripled. Before the pandemic, the UIA had around 650 staff. Currently, over 2,000 UIA team members are helping claimants – this includes answering phones through the call center, making proactive calls, answering questions online, solving technical issues and adjudicating claims.

Employer Filed Claims
Michigan employers are encouraged to file an Employer Filed Claims (EFC) online on behalf of their full-time workers who are temporarily or permanently laid off. This fast, secure way of transferring claims information allows employers to better manage the accuracy of the information provided to the UIA. An EFC replaces the need for an individual worker to reopen their claim. For more information on EFC, visit here.

Work Share
Employers looking to avoid layoffs or bring employees back from unemployment are encouraged to use the state’s Work Share program. The federally funded program has provided $475 million in benefits and helped nearly 2,700 Michigan employers since March 15. The flexible program allows job providers to retain their skilled workforce and avoid layoffs by reducing employee hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for the lost wages.

With almost 97,000 employees participating at the peak of enrollment, Michigan’s program has led the nation and far outpaced even the combined totals of larger states like NY, OH and TX. For more information, visit: Michgan.gov/Workshare.

Paying Unemployment Claims
Since March 15, over 2.3M certifying, potentially eligible claimants have applied for state and federal benefits, with over $26B in benefits paid to over 2.2M workers, or roughly 96% of potentially eligible, certifying claimants. There are currently around 71,000 claimants needing ID verification and around 9,000 in the adjudication process which requires a one-on-one review of their claim.

UIA Data, March 15 – November 17, 2020

• $26.1B – Benefits paid  
• 2,972K – Total unique claimants (State and Federal)
• 290K – Claimants determined currently ineligible for benefits
• 366K – Claimants who have not certified
• 2,316K – Total unique potentially eligible claims with certification
• 2,236K – Claimants paid at least once
• 96.5% – Percent paid at least once 
• 71K – Claimants unpaid due to ID verification
• 9K – Claimants unpaid due to other non-monetary issues