November 11, 2026
Michigan Works! Southwest recently introduced Retention Solutions, a service designed to help employers strengthen workforce stability by addressing challenges that can affect employee attendance, engagement, and long-term retention.
Retention Solutions partners with employers to provide confidential, on-site support that helps employees address workplace and personal challenges, connect with community resources, and strengthen employee engagement and long-term workforce stability. The service is grounded in the belief that when employees have the support and resources they need to succeed, both businesses and the communities they serve benefit.
As part of Retention Solutions, dedicated on-site workforce professionals build relationships with employees and provide confidential, one-on-one assistance. Employees can receive help connecting with resources related to transportation, child care, housing, financial stability, health and well-being, and other work-life needs.
By providing support and connecting employees with resources early, Retention Solutions helps address potential barriers before they affect workplace attendance or performance. The program also serves as a partner to employers' human resources teams, offering an additional resource for employees navigating challenges that may affect their ability to remain successful at work.
An Added Benefit for Employers
In addition to on-site retention support, this year, participating employers receive exclusive access to economic research and executive briefings from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
These resources provide business leaders with timely information and analysis to help them understand economic conditions, workforce trends, and emerging issues affecting their organizations.
The economic intelligence component includes:
- Real-Time Economic Updates: Concise summaries of major economic releases, including employment, inflation, labor force participation, and other key indicators.
- Quarterly Economic Outlook: Reports highlighting national, state, and local economic trends and their implications for employers.
- Quarterly Executive Briefings: Exclusive briefings led by Upjohn Institute President Dr. Michael Horrigan covering labor market trends, artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, workforce challenges, and emerging economic issues.
- Executive Presentations: Customized presentations for organizational leadership teams, boards, conferences, and strategic planning retreats.
- Custom Data and Analysis: Access to labor market analysis, industry reports, demographic data, commuting patterns, mapping, dashboards, and other research products prepared by Upjohn research analysts.
By combining direct employee support with access to economic intelligence, Retention Solutions offers employers resources to address immediate workforce challenges while making informed decisions about their organizations and the future of work.
Employers interested in learning more about Retention Solutions can contact: Amy Meyers | Michigan Works! Southwest | meyers@upjohn.org