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Michigan Labor Laws 2025

Michigan has labor protections including a $12.48 minimum wage with annual adjustments, earned sick time requirements that vary by employer size, mandatory meal breaks for minors, and a training wage for young workers.

Important: Michigan's earned sick time law (effective February 2025) requires up to 72 hours paid sick time for employers with 10+ employees. Most requirements apply to employers with 2 or more employees.

Minimum Wage

Michigan has a state minimum wage that exceeds federal law and adjusts annually.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $12.48 per hour (as of February 21, 2025)
  • Adjusted annually based on inflation rate
  • Tipped employees: $5.99/hour minimum cash wage
  • Training wage: $4.25/hour for first 90 days for employees 16-19
  • Applies to employers with 2 or more employees

Additional Resources

Overtime

Michigan follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws beyond federal requirements
  • Applies to employers with 2 or more employees

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Michigan requires meal breaks for employees under 18 but not for adults.

Key Requirements

  • Minors under 18: 30-minute break for shifts over 5 hours
  • No state law requiring meal breaks for adult employees
  • No state law requiring rest breaks for any employees
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided

Additional Resources

Earned Sick Time

Michigan requires paid sick time for employees (as of February 2025).

Key Requirements

  • Accrual: 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked
  • Employers with 10+ employees: Up to 72 hours per year (paid)
  • Employers with fewer than 10: Up to 40 hours paid, 32 hours unpaid
  • Can be used for illness, preventive care, or care for family members
  • Carryover allowed but employer may cap usage

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Michigan has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least semi-monthly (twice per month)
  • Payment must be made within a reasonable time
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Michigan has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: Limited to 10 hours per day, 48 hours per week
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 9pm (except summers)

Additional Resources

Earned Sick Time by Employer Size

Michigan's earned sick time requirements (effective February 2025) vary by employer size:

10+ Employees

Up to 72 hours paid

All sick time must be paid

Fewer than 10 Employees

40 paid + 32 unpaid

Total of 72 hours (40 paid, 32 unpaid)

Training Wage Provisions

Michigan allows a training wage for young workers:

  • Rate: $4.25/hour (85% of minimum wage)
  • Eligibility: Employees aged 16-19
  • Duration: First 90 days of employment
  • After 90 days, must be paid full minimum wage

Annual Minimum Wage Adjustments

Michigan's minimum wage adjusts annually based on inflation:

The state minimum wage is adjusted each year based on the inflation rate. The adjustment is calculated using the federal consumer price index and announced by the state Treasurer.

After February 21, 2025, the minimum wage increased to $12.48/hour. Future adjustments will continue annually unless legislation changes this requirement.

Minor Break Requirements

Michigan requires breaks specifically for employees under 18:

Employees under 18 years of age must receive a 30-minute meal break if they work more than 5 consecutive hours. Adult employees (18+) have no state-mandated break requirements.

Navigate Michigan's Labor Requirements

Rightwork automatically tracks earned sick time accruals, applies training wage provisions, enforces minor break requirements, and ensures compliance with Michigan's wage laws.

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