Michigan Hosts Workplace Rights Week to Promote Safe and Equitable Workplaces for All

LANSING, MICH. – To further exemplify Michigan’s commitment to protecting working people and the importance of the labor force to the state’s economy, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed April 22-26, 2024, as the fourth annual Workplace Rights Week in Michigan. 

Workplace Rights Week aims to promote the integral role Michigan’s labor force plays in advancing the state’s economy and educating the state’s workforce about their rights to have a safe workplace, be paid fairly for their work, organize and advocate for better protections, while also leveraging their knowledge to create equity in Michigan’s growing economy.

“During Workplace Rights Week, we recognize the Michiganders who work hard every day to move our state forward,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Our state built and grew the middle class, backed by world-class companies and strong Labor partners. We must continue working together to ensure Michigan is a great state for workers, where you can earn a good living while being safe and treated fairly on the job. Let’s keep expanding opportunity and building a bright future where everyone can thrive.”

During Workplace Rights Week, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will highlight important facts and resources with the goal of ensuring Michigan continues to have strong communities, a thriving workforce and pathways to prosperity.  

“This week serves as a crucial reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure every worker is treated with dignity, fairness and respect,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “From fair wages and safe working conditions to protection against discrimination and harassment, these rights serve as the foundation of a just and thriving economy. This week and beyond, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of equity and justice in every workplace, setting Michigan’s economy and families on a course for a better tomorrow.”

Among the origins of workplace rights in America, in May of 1886, both men and women fought for an eight-hour workday and greater workplace rights for all. May 1 is now celebrated around the world as a day recognizing working people.

One of the many hard-fought gains is the right to a safe workplace, and to remind everyone of this critical mission, Worker’s Memorial Day is observed on April 26 every year across the country. This day remembers the people who lost their lives on the job and serves to advocate for efforts that make workplaces safer and healthier.

In 1970, President Nixon signed into law the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which was designed to ensure “so far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.” After this law went into effect, the incidence rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses among private industry workplaces decreased dramatically, dropping from 10.9 cases per 100 in 1972 to just 2.3 cases per 100 in 2022.

“Workplace Rights Week serves as a crucial reminder that every job represents a livelihood and a dignity to be upheld,” said LEO Deputy Director of Labor Sean Egan. “We celebrate the strides we’ve made, but also work continuously to educate and empower workers about their rights and tangible protections under the law. When our workplace rights are honored, our communities thrive and our economy flourishes.”

Schedule of Events

Monday, April 22: Joint Webinar with Wage & Hour and the U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) recently announced a final rule to help employers properly classify workers as either independent contractors or employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The joint webinar with USDOL will focus on how the final ruling with affect Michigan businesses. Join the webinar here.   

Tuesday, April 23: Webinar Covering Changes to the Public Employees Relations Act, 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Bureau of Employment Relations Director Sidney McBride will be hosting a webinar discussing updates on changes to the Public Employees Relations Act, enacted to declare and protect the rights of public employees to organize and collectively bargain. Join the webinar here. 

Tuesday, April 23: Webinar with National Employee Relations Board, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The National Labor Relations Board will focus on safeguarding employees’ rights to organize, engage with one another to seek better working conditions and choose whether to have a collective bargaining representative negotiate on their behalf with their employer. Join the webinar here.   

Wednesday, April 24: Understanding Expanded Protections Under the Elliot Larsen Civil Right Act

Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director John Johnson will explain the expanded protections under the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act in a short video released through LEO's channels on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  

Thursday, April 25: Highlighting Key Protections Under Workers’ Compensation

Release of video highlighting key protections under Workers’ Compensation. This video and corresponding information is important for working people to understand should they unfortunately become injured at work. These protections ensure that hard working Michiganders can continue to thrive if an injury occurs. The video will be released through LEO's channels on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  

 Friday, April 26: Workers’ Memorial Day

Representatives from LEO and MIOSHA, in collaboration with the Christman Company, the Michigan Building Trades and Construction Council and construction trade representatives, will visit a NEOGEN construction site in Lansing to talk with working people about the significance of workplace safety rights and commemorate those who have lost their lives on the job.

Visit Michigan.gov/WorkplaceRights to learn more about workplace rights and the history of the labor movement.