Detroit at Work: A Message to Detroit Employers

Dear Detroit at Work Employer Partners,
 
Last night, I talked directly to State of Michigan – Labor and Economic Opportunity leadership about their plans to support small businesses during this time.
 
While we expect more details to follow later today, there is immediate guidance from the State for employers on how to treat layoffs as a result of COVID-19.
 
Please DO NOT lay off any employees at this time. Instead, place them on paid/unpaid leave, according to your policies and/or the time available in their time-off banks.
 
The State of Michigan advises that within the next 36 hours, we will be able to share information on WorkShare, a national program that has been operationalized by the State of Michigan to provide financial relief to workers without using Unemployment Insurance benefits. 
 
Please email me if your questions are not answered by the State of Michigan communication that will follow tomorrow.
 
 
 
Nicole Sherard-Freeman
Executive Director – Workforce Development and Detroit at Work
City of Detroit
[email protected]