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

March is Ladder Safety Month; are your employees properly trained?

From Retailers Insurance Company One of the most common workplace accidents involves ladder-related injuries. In the United States, over 500,000 people experience ladder-related injuries each year at work or home, and more than 300 people die from such injuries. In retail, a fall typically involves an employee who’s using a portable ladder, such as step… Continue reading

MIOSHA suspends reporting of some injury and illness forms

MIOSHA is suspending enforcement of the requirement for employers to electronically submit information from the Form 300 “Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses,” and the Form 301 “Injury and Illness Incident Report” to OSHA. The suspension is based on OSHA’s rescission of the federal rules requiring electronic submission of the Forms 300 and 301. In… Continue reading