News and Information

Tips to defuse tense confrontations with customers

Most retailers by now have experienced instances of a customer showing disrespect for face mask rules or some other guideline the store has set to comply with Governor Whitmer’s orders or protect their staff members. Michigan Retailers Association has held six webinars on dealing with difficult customers and two on active violence in the workplace,… Continue reading

Take the flammable warning seriously on hand sanitizer

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America put out a safety memo in May warning workers that liquid alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be flammable. Since the hand sanitizers – most of which contain isopropyl alcohol – are being used more than ever to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19, the association wanted to make their members… Continue reading

Is your parking lot safe for customers and your staff?

By Retailers Insurance Company If your parking lot is putting customers at risk, then you’re also putting your staff at risk. Parking areas can pose several dangers – a place for slip and falls, or for thieves to pray on shoppers or break into vehicles. In fact, FBI data shows that 4.1% of all crimes… Continue reading

3 ways to keep the holidays safe in your workplace

Many employees love to decorate the workplace for the holidays and participate in a company gathering. As an employer, you may want to encourage some holiday frivolity, holding ugly sweater contests and contributing the turkey for the employee potluck. But you also need to be aware of three areas of concern during the holidays. DECORATING… Continue reading

Monroe insurance agent gets national award

Scott Shappee, a Monroe insurance agent, has won the Professional of the Year award from the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents. Shappee is vice president of sales at Insurance Center of Monroe, an agency where his grandfather, dad and uncles all worked. The plan is he’ll be the third generation to run the agency.… Continue reading

Hidden danger in the workplace: Employee fatigue

As an employer, one of your biggest safety concerns is ensuring that your workers aren’t fatigued on the job. Employees need to be responsible for their own sleep habits. But employers need to be aware that safety performance decreases as employees become tired. It may not sound like a serious issue, but it is: A… Continue reading

Be sure to classify workers properly

Employers should be aware that the state is starting to crack down on worker misclassification and payroll fraud. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced April 22 that she’s establishing a Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit to investigate businesses that misclassify full-time workers as independent contractors, underpay workers, refuse to pay overtime and commit other violations of… Continue reading

Congratulations to RIC retirees

Retailers Insurance Co. said good-bye to two retiring employees during summer 2019. In addition, MRA President and CEO James P. Hallan’s retirement was previously announced and will occur on Aug. 26. Some of you may have talked to our retirees over the years: Judy Schafer and Linda Pierce, with Retailers Insurance Co. (RIC). Judy Schafer… Continue reading

Retailers often targets in active shooter tragedies

MIOSHA funding free sessions for training employees to respond in violent situations Would you be surprised to know retail venues are the second most likely scene of an active shooter tragedy after a school campus? There were 34 of these deadly events, between 2000-2016, according to statistics gathered by the FBI and Advanced Law Enforcement… Continue reading

Planning for a disaster: A crucial exercise

Have you reviewed your business disaster plan lately? If not, it’s a good exercise to go through with your designated disaster response team, and even consider drills with your employees. OSHA requires nearly all employers with at least 11 employees to have a written, comprehensive emergency action plan. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are… Continue reading