Page 10 - LRCC January 2025 FOCUS

BY JENNIFER Mc cENTEE
BY JENNIFER Mc cENTEE
BY JENNIFER M ENTEE
BY JENNIFER M ENTEE

ichigan businesses have been in a holding going to
pattern as lawmakers, labor unions, be giving
chambers, and trade groups have tried to employees sick
reach an understanding about forthcoming leave, and it’s going
M changes to statewide minimum wage and to be on a different
paid sick leave directives. timetable than what
we have right now,”
As this issue of FOCUS is going to press, the Michigan Hammond said.
Legislature is still in its lame duck session, during
which many are advocating for amendments to 2018’s Hammond recommends that his
Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act and the clients educate themselves about
Earned Sick Time Act — put back into motion by the the latest labor and employment
Michigan Supreme Court in its July 2024 Mothering laws, particularly related to their
Justice v. Attorney General ruling — to now take effect specific businesses and industries.
in February 2025. Then, they should seek the counsel
of their accountant and attorney.
The initiatives, as planned, would increase Michigan’s
minimum wage, ultimately eliminate the tipped wage “With all these things, whether it’s
credit, and change the parameters of the state’s earned Hammond the Family and Medical Leave Act
sick leave. or the Americans with Disabilities
Act or the Earned Sick Time Act, all these laws have a
The mandates are expected to impact businesses of growing pain stage,” Hammond said. “It sounds good,
all sizes in all industries, through small businesses and but then you get gray areas when you actually start. You
those in the hospitality industry may need to make get a system and a template in place, but then you start
significant shifts in their operations to avoid penalties asking questions. ‘OK, what if? What if this happens?’
and maintain fair labor practices. Do it before February 21st because you don’t want to
have a ‘what if’ question and do the wrong thing.”
Experts in labor and employment law opine that
businesses need to be prepared regardless of how the Helen Lizzie Mills, the labor and
laws might be modified before February 2025. employment practice group
leader at Okemos-based Fahey
Clifford Hammond, a member of Foster Swift Collins Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC,
& Smith PC’s Employers Services practice group in said the onus is on businesses
the Southfield and Lansing offices, said any pending to understand and promptly
changes to the minimum wage and sick leave acts implement the new state wage
might “sand some of the edges off.” and sick time requirements.

“We don’t know 100 percent, but we know that we’re Mills “It’s a commonly used phrase in our
going to be paying more for wages. We know that we’re practice, our firm, and across the

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