Karen J. VanderWerff
- Partner
My admin
- Joyce Spaulding
industries
practices
- Investigated and successfully mitigated liability in numerous workplace catastrophes, including explosions, fatalities and release of hazardous substances.
- Leads clients through post-catastrophe interactions with federal, state and local government agencies, including National Transportation Safety Board, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, local police and fire departments and others.
- Conducts internal investigations and handles personnel issues in post-catastrophe phase; directs media interaction.
- Audits safety and health programs of employers with goal of increased worker safety, decreased workers’ compensation costs and minimal citation exposure.
- Drafts policies to comply with
- Investigated and successfully mitigated liability in numerous workplace catastrophes, including explosions, fatalities and release of hazardous substances.
- Leads clients through post-catastrophe interactions with federal, state and local government agencies, including National Transportation Safety Board, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, local police and fire departments and others.
- Conducts internal investigations and handles personnel issues in post-catastrophe phase; directs media interaction.
- Audits safety and health programs of employers with goal of increased worker safety, decreased workers’ compensation costs and minimal citation exposure.
- Drafts policies to comply with state and federal OSHA laws.
- Successfully represents employers in complaints filed with government agencies and boards, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Department of Civil Rights, Consumer and Industry Services, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, etc.
- Testified as an expert in ballistics with Illinois State Police (1983-1990).
- “ADA, FMLA and Sick Leave Issues,” Warner 2023 HR Seminar, May 16, 2023, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Webinar — A Return to the Earned Sick Time Act and Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act as Originally Adopted, July 27, 2022
- “New Twists on Some Old Issues: Discrimination, Retaliation, Harassment, Hiring and Wage & Hour Compliance,”
- “ADA, FMLA and Sick Leave Issues,” Warner 2023 HR Seminar, May 16, 2023, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Webinar — A Return to the Earned Sick Time Act and Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act as Originally Adopted, July 27, 2022
- “New Twists on Some Old Issues: Discrimination, Retaliation, Harassment, Hiring and Wage & Hour Compliance,” Warner 2022 HR Seminar In-Person Event, May 4, 2022, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “What Employers Need to Know About the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard,” Warner Webinar, November 10, 2021
- “Legal Developments in Human Resources,” Association for Human Resources Management Panel, November 10, 2021, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “Employment Law Issues for Marijuana Businesses: Top 10 Tips to Minimize Employment Risks,” Cannabis Law Seminar – Industry Insights and Trends From the Legal Perspective, September 30, 2021, Lansing, Michigan
- “New COVID-19 Rules and Requirements for Michigan Employers,” Warner Webinar, November 10, 2020
- “COVID-19 and MiOSHA,” Warner 2020 HR Executive Panel, October 7, 2020
- “Labor and Employment Update: Preparing the Facility for Operations after COVID-19,” Warner Webinar, April 29, 2020
- “Labor and Emloyment Panel,” Warner 2019 HR Executive Panels, September 13, 2019, Traverse City, Michigan
- “Recreational Marijuana and Drugs in the Workplace,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 7, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “Labor and Employment Panel, Warner 2018 HR Executive Panels, September 20, 2018, Traverse City, Michigan
- “Myth or Truth: Labor & Employment Panel,” Warner Labor & Benefits Executive Panels, November 17, 2017, Traverse City, Michigan
- “Safety & OSHA Issues,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 23, 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “Managing an Evolving Workforce” and “Wage/Hour and FLSA Issues,” Warner Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, October 21, 2016, Traverse City, Michigan
- “Workplace Investigations,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, June 9, 2016, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, Warner Seminar, October 7, 2014, Midland, Michigan
- “EEOC Cracking Down on Discrimination,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, April 20, 2015, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Labor and Employment Panel, Labor and Benefits Executive Panel-Government Enforcement Initiatives, September 23, 2014, Midland, Michigan
- “Workplace Investigations,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, April 22, 2014
- “HR and Benefits Executive Panel,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Midland, Michigan, October 9, 2013, and Birmingham, Michigan, October 15, 2013
- “Performance Reviews,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, April 29, 2013
- “Even Paranoids have Real Enemies: How Government Agencies Are Targeting Employers,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 2, 2012
- “OSHA, Workplace Safety, Health and Security,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 25, 2011
- “Impact of the ADA Amendments Act,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, March 23, 2010
- “Employer by Choice – Personal and Institutional Leadership,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008
- “CSI: HR Management in Crisis Management,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 10, 2007
- Warner 2023 HR Seminar
- Webinar — A Return to the Earned Sick Time Act and Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act as Originally Adopted
- Warner 2022 HR Seminar In-Person Event
- What Employers Need to Know About the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard
- November HR Legal Panel
- Cannabis Law Seminar – Industry Insights and Trends From the Legal Perspective
- Webinar: New COVID-19 Rules and Requirements for Michigan Employers
- HR Executive Panel
- Webinar: Labor and Employment Update: Preparing the Facility for Operations after COVID-19
- 2019 HR Seminar
- 2017 Labor and Benefits Executive Panels (Traverse City)
- 2017 Labor and Benefits Executive Panels (Midland)
- 2017 HR Seminar
- 2016 Labor and Benefits Executive Panel (Midland)
- 2016 Labor and Benefits Executive Panel (Traverse City)
- Human Resources Seminar 2015
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Represented Linamar in Acquiring Three Battery Enclosure Factories
- Businesses forced to rethink ‘normal’ operations amid COVID-19: Preparing for worklife after the ‘Stay Home’ order lifts
- Warner Representing ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in the Acquisition of Community Shores Bank Corporation
- Warner Represents ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in Its Merger with County Bank Corp.
- OSHA Tailors Construction PPE Standard to Require Properly Fitting PPE
- MIOSHA to Start Seeking Additional Workplace Injury and Illness Data from Employers in High-Hazard Industries
- Role of Employers in Safeguarding Against Workplace Violence
- Governor Whitmer Extends MIOSHA’s Emergency Rules on COVID-19, and MIOSHA Releases Proposed Permanent COVID-19 Rules
- President Biden Issues Executive Order on Worker Health & Safety: What Does It Mean for Employers in Michigan and Other States?
- Stay Home, Stay Safe: How to Protect Your Employees and Your Business When Law Enforcement is Knocking on Your Door
- Memo’s Withdrawal Suggests Fewer Faculty Members and Students Protected by NLRA
- MiOSHA to Adopt OSHA Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Revised Rules
- Attorney Spotlight: Karen VanderWerff, Labor and Employment Partner
- OSHA Amends Regulations and Clarifies Employer Recordkeeping Obligations for Work-Related Injury and Illness Records
- Michigan Adopting Revised OSHA Injury and Illness Reporting Rule
- New OSHA Regulations Taking Effect
- Develops training materials and provides training sessions to managers and supervisors on harassment, drug and alcohol awareness and health and safety issues
- Develops training materials and provides training sessions to managers and supervisors on harassment, drug and alcohol awareness and health and safety issues
