Michigan Archives - Laborsphere

Michigan Supreme Court Reinstates Voter-Initiated Sick Leave Law

The Michigan Supreme Court’s re-institution of the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) significantly expands Michigan’s sick leave requirements. Effective February 21, 2025, Michigan employers not previously covered by the Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA) should implement a sick leave policy in accordance with the ESTA, and employers who currently follow the PMLA should review their policies and revise them to comply with the ESTA. The supreme court also reinstated the accelerated adoption of a $12 minimum wage in Michigan initiated by voters through the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

State & Local Employment Law Developments: Q1 2024

State and local governments continue to increase workplace regulations. Although it is not feasible to discuss all laws, this update provides an overview of significant recent and upcoming legislative and regulatory developments to help you and your organization stay in compliance with local and state employment laws.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

State & Local Employment Law Developments: Q2 2023

The trend of increasing workplace regulations by state and local governments continued throughout the second quarter of 2023. Although it is not possible to discuss all state and local laws, this update provides an overview of recent and upcoming legislative developments to help you and your organization stay in compliance.

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Michigan Repeals ‘Right-to-Work’ Law

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer repealed the state’s “right-to-work” law on March 24, 2023. Additionally, the new law bans Michigan localities from enacting their own ordinances which would “prohibit or limit an agreement that requires all bargaining unit employees, as a condition of continued employment, to pay to the labor organization membership dues or service fees.”

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Update: Michigan Court Stays Decision to Reinstitute Higher Minimum Wage and More Generous Paid Sick Time Laws

Recently, we issued an alert explaining that, on July 19, 2022, the Michigan Court of Claims ruled that the “adopt-and-amend” strategy the Michigan Legislature used in 2019 to enact more business-friendly minimum wage and paid sick time laws was unconstitutional. The court also reinstituted the prior versions of these laws which meant Michigan employers were immediately subject to the more generous Earned Sick Time Act and the higher $12 per hour minimum wage for most employees.

However, on July 29, 2022, the same court issued a stay of its ruling through February 19, 2023 to allow employers and the relevant state agencies time to comply with and enforce the original, reinstituted laws. Accordingly, as of the writing of this alert, employers have until February 19, 2023 to comply with the Earned Sick Time Act (which requires more paid sick time than the now-stricken Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act) and provide at least a $12 per hour minimum wage for non-tipped employees, unless an appellate court or the Michigan Legislature acts before February 19.

Continue reading “Update: Michigan Court Stays Decision to Reinstitute Higher Minimum Wage and More Generous Paid Sick Time Laws”