On February 21, 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 8, amending the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (IWOWA)—Michigan’s minimum wage law—which was set to be reinstated effective the same day. The amendments became effective upon signing. Governor Whitmer also signed House Bill 4002, amending the paid sick leave law,
Articles About Michigan Labor and Employment Law.
Amendments to Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Law
Employers with employees in Michigan need to be aware of immediate changes to the state’s Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). Under the amended ESTA, paid earned sick time begins to accrue as of Feb. 21, 2025.Our article, Last-Minute Changes to Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Law: What Employers Need to Know,
A Mixed Bag for Michigan Employers: Legislature Accelerates Minimum Wage Increases but Saves the Tip Credit
TakeawaysAmendments to the Michigan Minimum Wage Act accelerate the schedule of minimum wage increases but prevent elimination of the tip credit for employees who earn tips.Michigan’s minimum wage rate is now $12.48 per hour, pursuant to a 2/21/25 increase. The minimum wage for tipped workers is $4.74 per hour.Related link
Michigan’s 11th-Hour Changes to Minimum Wage, Tip, and Paid Sick Leave Standards
Michigan changed its minimum wage rate and updated schedule changes Tip credit’s eventual elimination undone, but tip credit gradually increases to 50% of minimum wage Multiple paid sick leave revisions seek to make leaves administration less challenging
Hold on Tight: Last-Minute Changes to Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act
Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA), scheduled to take effect on February 21, 2025, was amended on February 20, 2025, to provide additional clarity and administrative ease. Yesterday, both chambers of the legislature reached an agreement on an amendment to the ESTA, introducing several changes, and today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan’s Supreme Court Clarifies Its Mothering Justice Opinion and Sets State’s Minimum Wage Increases and Tip Credit Phaseout
Following the Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024, ruling that the state legislature’s December 2018 “adopt and amend” action was unconstitutional, and that the state’s minimum wage will increase in 2025, the court has now clarified what those minimum wage increases will be when the law takes effect on February
Michigan Supreme Court Clarifies Minimum Wage & Tipped Rates and Schedule for 2025 and Future Years
On September 18, 2024, at the request of the State of Michigan and its attorney general, the Michigan Supreme Court clarified issues relating to future minimum wage rates and minimum cash wage rates for tip-credit employees stemming from an earlier opinion.
Michigan Supreme Court Invalidates Legislative Amendments to Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave Measures
Michigan employers soon will face a significantly higher minimum wage and more onerous employee sick leave obligations after the Michigan Supreme Court invalidated the Michigan legislature’s amendments related to two voter ballot initiatives. Mothering Justice v. Attorney General and State of Michigan, No. 165325 (July 31, 2024).
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Michigan Supreme Court Voids Existing Minimum (Cash) Wage and Paid Sick Leave Laws and Revives Old Laws
The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered a “do-over” of sorts by reviving old laws regulating minimum wage, tip, and paid sick leave. Changes to the minimum wage and tip rules will go into effect on February 21, 2025, but a number of questions remain.
Michigan Supreme Court Reinstates Voter-Initiated Versions of State’s Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Laws
On July 31, 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court reinstated Michigan’s original (2018) voter-initiated versions of the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (IWOWA) and the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). This reversion will take effect on February 21, 2025. The decision is significant for Michigan employers because it expands paid sick
Michigan Supreme Court to Hear State’s Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Laws Battle
In 2018, the Michigan legislature adopted, and then within the same legislative session amended, two voter-approved ballot initiatives, one to significantly raised Michigan’s minimum wage and the other to expand employer obligations to provide paid sick leave. In 2022, the Michigan Court of Claims held that the legislature’s actions violated
Michigan Repeals Right-to-Work Law
In 2012, Michigan enacted a right-to-work statute that prevented employees from being forced to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment. On Friday, March 24, 2023, Michigan became the first state in 58 years to repeal its right-to-work statute. The repeal will take effect
Governor Whitmer Signs Legislation Repealing Michigan’s Right-to-Work Law
On March 24, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law legislation repealing Michigan’s right-to-work law for private-sector employees. The legislation had previously passed the Michigan House of Representatives on March 14, 2023, and the Michigan Senate on March 21, 2023. Both bills passed along party lines.
Michigan Senate Passes Bill to Repeal Right-to-Work Law Governing Private-Sector Employers
On March 21, 2023, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill No. 34 in the final step of the legislative process to repeal Michigan’s right-to-work law governing private-sector employers. The Senate’s action comes on the heels of the Michigan House of Representatives’ passage of a similar bill, House Bill 4005, on
Michigan Legislature Passes Amendment to Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to Protect LGBTQ Rights
On March 8, 2023, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill (S.B. 4) expanding the language of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA)’s protected categories to include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as prohibited categories for discrimination. The state senate approved S.B. 4 on March 1,