The Hiring Paradox Facing Recent College Graduates and How Smart Employers Are Responding

Recent college graduates are entering one of the most contradictory job markets in recent memory. Employers across Michigan and the nation continue to flag skills gaps and long-term workforce concerns, yet many are pulling back on the entry-level hiring that would begin to solve those problems. Today’s recent college graduates often find themselves caught in a frustrating loop: no one will hire them without experience, yet experience is impossible to gain without that first hire.

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Should You Post Pay Ranges? Candidate Preferences May Increasingly Drive the Decision

The question of whether or not to include salary ranges on public job postings is age-old, with well-reasoned arguments both for and against. Legislation has settled the debate in 11 states and counting with pay transparency requirements specifically for external job postings. Many employers in the remaining 39 states still wrestle with this question, trying to balance pros and cons while at the same time striving to achieve the primary goal of attracting qualified talent to the organization. Increasingly, though, job seekers themselves may be influencing this decision.

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Small Business Policy Wins in a Busy Legislative Week

As spring comes to a close, Michigan’s legislature is nearing its peak productivity as budget negotiations begin in earnest. The consensus among Lansing observers is that this summer will be relatively quiet in the state’s Capitol, as leaders in both the Republican-led House and Democrat-led senate have signaled desire to pass a budget by the end of June. This will allow legislators to return home and spend the summer campaigning for the November election, rather than spending prime door-knocking days in caucus meetings and in committee rooms.

Amid the typical deadlock of split government, budget season presents opportunities for proactive legislative action. SBAM’s Advocacy Team works every day to advance policy initiatives in Lansing that promote entrepreneurship and a healthy small business ecosystem, and last week we made meaningful advances on multiple fronts. Over the next month, as budget negotiations proceed, we will continue to promote pro-small business policies, including further advancement of the following.

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Marijuana Reclassification: What Employers Need to Know

Marijuana has been made legal at the federal level, or has it? Some marijuana products were reclassified by the U.S. Department of Justice on April 23, 2026. However, that did not make all forms or uses of marijuana legal at the federal level.

Marijuana has long been classified as a Schedule I substance, the same level as drugs like heroin. Now, some marijuana products are classified as Schedule III substances. Employers should review and update their policies to ensure they accurately reflect the new classification and its applicability, as it may have implications under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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