Ecolab Inc. sued a former marketing manager, Preston Alexander, alleging he used stolen trade secrets to set up a rival business in violation of the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act and related claims. Ecolab seeks the immediate return of its confidential information and damages for contract breach and trade secret misappropriation. Why it Matters: Ecolab’s lawsuit offers several lessons for companies and individuals about the importance of protecting intellectual property rights like trade secrets and…

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law bipartisan legislation known as the “COVID-19 Response and Reopening Liability Assurance Act” (COVID Assurance Act). Why it Matters: This Act provides protections to Michigan workers relating to the spread of COVID-19 and protecting businesses that implement strict safety measures to keep workers, customers, and their families safe. Further, it is retroactive to March 1, 2020. The Act was praised by labor and business organizations alike. It is supported…

The Michigan Supreme Court, in a divided opinion, recently invalidated  Michigan’s Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945, MCL 10.31 et seq. This was the statute under which Governor Whitmer issued a number of COVID-19 executive orders. Those orders, therefore, will now be void by the end of October. The case is Midwest Inst of Health, PLLC v Governor of Michigan (In re Certified Questions from the United States Dist Court), _ Mich __, __…

A Michigan based company was recently sued for allegedly firing its assistant manager after contracting the COVID-19 virus. The suit claims this firing violated the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and Michigan Executive Order 2020-36. Why It Matters: Two things stand out about this lawsuit. First, you have an employer who appears to have gone to significant lengths to protect customers and staff from…

Michigan’s Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) launched a new program focused on supporting Michigan businesses to reopen safely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is called the MIOSHA Ambassador Program. It offers education and one-on-one guidance to help businesses understand regulations on workplace safety. Why it Matters: Whenever a state or federal government announces programs to assist companies, I’m reminded of Ronald Reagan’s …