This week, Forbes recognized Michigan as a top ten employer for new graduates. Out of 300 total recognized organizations, the State of Michigan was ranked 8th based on a survey of more than 20,000 young professionals from companies with at least 1,000 employees. ?
I am so proud that our state has been recognized as a top ten organization for new graduates to bring their talents, develop new skills, and start their careers. From enacting paid parental leave, to making a more inclusive workplace, to improving transparency, my administration has worked hard to ensure our state?s nearly 50,000-strong workforce has the support to thrive and serve the people of Michigan at the highest level. ?
Thank you for all you do working for Michigan. We will always make sure our employees have what they need to raise a family and ensure a solid quality of life in the state they serve.?
 Governor Gretchen Whitmer??
Governor Whitmer knows that in order for Michigan to reach its highest potential, it is essential to invest in and support the people that keep our state running. That?s why since day one, she?s taken action to make Michigan a great place to work and raise a family. Some of these actions include: ?
Paid Parental Leave
In February 2020, Governor Whitmer?announced the State of Michigan would begin offering paid family leave. This commonsense, family-first approach provides 12 weeks of paid leave immediately following birth or adoption of a child to the near 50,000 State of Michigan employees. This?paid family leave policy celebrated its second anniversary this year. Since its implementation, more than 2,000 civil servants have spent more time bonding with their children.???
Higher Wages and Better Benefits
Since I took office in 2019, state employees, have received a well-deserved 14 percent base increase.?Every state employee deserves fair pay and good benefits for their work.??
Creating a More Inclusive Workplace
In 2019, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order to enhance anti-discrimination laws in state employment, contracting, and provision of services.???
 Prioritizing Transparency
In her 2019 State of the State Address, Governor Whitmer?acknowledged the importance of government transparency and strong ethical standards. She signed a series of executive directives setting new rules for the executive branch. These reforms have led to the creation of the public ?Sunshine? webpage, which includes the Governor's public calendars, federal income tax returns, and personal financial information.???
Empowering Michigan Employees
The first executive directive of Governor Whitmer?s administration was signed to empower state employees to speak up about imminent threats to public health, safety, or welfare. It encourages openness and reassures workforce protections by law for state employees who speak up.?
This month, we are celebrating two groups of Michigan workers who help keep this state running. On June 25, we honor our public transit workers on Public Transit Worker Day. Thousands of Michiganders rely on public transit workers for access to jobs, education, healthcare, food, and social interactions each and every day. Whether you are a driver, a mechanic, a scheduler, part of a cleaning crew, or other support staff, Michigan is grateful for you on this day and every day.?
We also acknowledge our waste and recycling workers during Waste and Recycling Worker Week, from June 17-23. These workers contribute to the health, safety, and welfare of all Michigan residents. We?ve got a lot of land to cover ? over 96,000 square miles of Pure Michigan ? and our waste and recycling crews and vital to preventing disease and litter and promoting a clean, safe community for all. ?
If you know a public transit or waste and recycling worker, make sure you take an extra moment to acknowledge their hard work for our state over the next few weeks. And if you are one yourself, thank you for your commitment to bettering our great state.?
This year, we are proud to celebrate Juneteenth as an official state holiday for the first time. All state employees will have June 20 off in recognition of this holiday. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, 2022, recognizes the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas as the Civil War drew to a close. One of his first actions was to read General Order #3, which stated that all enslaved people are free?and that all people have absolute equality of personal and property rights. ?
Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated as the emancipation date for those long suffering for freedom in the United States. On this day, we encourage all Michiganders to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and celebrate African American history and culture, while continuing to promote diversity, equality, and community in our state. ?
|
