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overview
Olivia Hankinson supports clients with their business and litigation needs, with a special interest in labor and employment.
Bio
She counsels and advises business owners, managers and human resources professionals on various labor and employment related issues. These often involve concerns which may implicate employment laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act. Olivia represents employers with respect to unemployment insurance hearings, MIOSHA violation allegations, EEOC investigations, and other employment law matters. She also drafts employee handbooks, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and various other employment policies.
Olivia graduated from the University of Michigan Law School where she was a member of the Michigan Journal of International Law, Child Advocacy Law Clinic, Unemployment Insurance Clinic, Public Benefits Advocacy Projects, and the Women Law Students Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University.
credentials
Affiliations
- Turnaround Management Association (TMA)-Detroit
- Network of Women Committee Member
Bar and Court Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
- Michigan Journal of International Law
- Child Advocacy Law Clinic
- Unemployment Insurance Clinic
- Women Law Students Association
- Michigan State University, B.A.
- with honors
Insights & News
August 5, 2021
Are Masks Back?
Guidance for Michigan employers concerning the CDC’s new mask recommendations
On July 27, 2021, the CDC reversed course from its previous guidance and issued a recommendation that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
May 25, 2021
MIOSHA Announces New Workplace Rules
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new mask guidance and Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) May 15th Order modifying mask guidance, Michigan employers have struggled with how to reconcile the Order and CDC guidance with the Emergency Rules set by Michigan’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), which, up until today, required all employees to wear masks in the workplace.
May 14, 2021
Mask or No Mask? CDC’s New Mask Guidance
On Thursday, May 13, 2021, the CDC issued a new mask guidance. Effective immediately, individuals who have been fully vaccinated may resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
January 27, 2021
Webinar: What Employers Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Labor and Employment attorney Olivia Hankinson recently presented on the legal side of the COVID-19 vaccine. The webinar was hosted by Corp! Magazine and can be viewed HERE.
January 8, 2021
What Employers Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccine Policies
With the COVID-19 vaccine anticipated to become available to the general public in 2021, many Michigan employers are questioning how they should proceed with requiring vaccinations.
December 21, 2020
Upcoming Webinar: Can your company require the COVID-19 vaccine?
Labor and Employment attorney Olivia Hankinson will be presenting a webinar on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from noon-1:00 PM EDT, hosted by Corp! Magazine, regarding the potential impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on the workplace.
December 3, 2020
Diversity and Inclusion: Sustaining Progress During a Pandemic
Labor and Employment attorney Olivia Hankinson discusses the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and how to maintain that progress as many companies continue to work remotely, in the latest issue of Corp! Magazine.
October 6, 2020
“Now What?”: Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Executive Order Decision
Kerr Russell, as of the date of this publication, is informing clients and friends of the firm that they are legally obligated to continue to comply with applicable COVID-19 workplace safety standards and valid state and local public health department orders, notwithstanding the Michigan Supreme Court’s opinion of October 2, 2020 invalidating the Governor’s COVID-19 Executive Orders.
September 21, 2020
Employment Policies on COVID-19 Vaccine Policies
As clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine progress, many employers are asking whether they will be able to require their employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment once a vaccine becomes available.
June 29, 2020
Travel Recommendations for Summer 2020
Given that the previous few months have been filled with quarantine, shelter in place, and stay at home orders, the desire to travel over the upcoming summer months has perhaps never been greater.
June 3, 2020
Michigan Stay-At-Home Order Rescinded
On June 1, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-110 (“Order”). The Order is effective immediately with certain provisions effective on June 4 and June 8. The Order rescinds Executive Order 2020-92, the latest version of the stay safe, stay at home order.
April 30, 2020
Webinar: Advice on Restarting Your Business
Kerr Russell attorney Olivia V. Hankinson will be presenting with Hylant and HAND Enterprise Solutions in this webinar hosted by the Detroit Chinese Business Association (DCBA). The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT. Register HERE.
April 27, 2020
Michigan Extends Stay Home Requirement - Some Activities Allowed to Resume
On April 24, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-59 (“Order”). The Order is effective immediately with certain limited provisions effective on April 26. The Order continues through May 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm, unless modified. Executive Order 2020-60 was also issued and adds temporary safety measures for food-selling establishments and pharmacies
April 17, 2020
Kerr Russell Presents Webinars on COVID-19 Legal Topics for Physicians and Medical Practices
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a public health emergency resulting in the enactment of several laws, Executive Orders, notices and guidance at the federal, state and local levels.
April 3, 2020
Webinar: What Does a Pandemic Mean for Your Business?
Kerr Russell attorney Olivia V. Hankinson will be presenting with Hylant in this webinar hosted by the Detroit Chinese Business Association (DCBA). The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT. Register HERE.
April 1, 2020
Paid Leave Coverage Update
The US Department of Labor recently clarified that employees laid off or furloughed due to lack of work and “stay at home” orders are not entitled to receive paid leave benefits under the new Emergency Paid Leave Act or the Emergency Family Medical Leave Act Expansion.
March 24, 2020
How the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order May Affect Your Business
On March 23, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-21 (“Order”). The Order took effect March 24, at 12:01 am and continues through April 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm. It requires residents to stay in their homes other than for exempted activities. These exemptions include work under very limited circumstances.
March 18, 2020
Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
As previously discussed, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to twelve weeks unpaid leave in a twelve-month period and the guarantee of continued employment following leave. However, FMLA does not provide paid leave and Michigan currently has no paid leave statute.
March 18, 2020
Michigan Employment Security Act EO Amendment
First tangible benefit issued to employees in Michigan. Michigan's Governor expands entitlement of employees to collect unemployment benefits by suspending the Voluntary Leave disqualification provisions of the Unemployment Act and extending the period of benefit coverage.
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity: A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends
Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history.
Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people
March 17, 2020
Employer Obligations Arising from COVID-19 (Part 2)
As of March 17, 2020, Michigan has announced 54 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. There are more than 30 test results pending, and almost 400 individuals are being monitored for assessment purposes.
March 16, 2020
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Affected Employers may qualify for certain benefits. On the morning of Saturday, March 14, 2020, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act, an emergency rescue package designed to respond to the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic.
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 Outbreak Prompts Flexibility in Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The U.S. Department of Labor on Friday, March 12, 2020 issued a guideline outlining the potential ways that states can administer their unemployment insurance programs to provide the greatest assistance to those Americans who have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
March 16, 2020
IRS Relaxes Health Plan Rules to Combat COVID 19
The IRS is taking steps to respond to the COVID 19 virus. Additional steps and guidance are expected.
March 13, 2020
Executive Order 2020-5 and Private Employers
On March 13, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer executed Executive Order 2020-5. The Executive Order prohibits all assemblages within the state of Michigan of more than 250 people in a single shared space beginning on Friday, March 13 at 5:00pm and ending on Sunday, April 5 at 5:00pm. A “single shared space” includes but is not limited to a “room, hall, cafeteria, auditorium, theater, or gallery.” A willful violation of the Executive Order constitutes a misdemeanor under Michigan law.
March 13, 2020
Responding to Employee Concerns About Coronavirus/COVID-19 (Part 1)
On March 10, 2020 the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the first positive tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the State of Michigan. Unfortunately, due to the contagious nature of COVID-19, it is likely that the virus will spread to others within the State and begin to affect Michigan workplaces.