Page 13 - LRCC January 2025 FOCUS

wage,” Sellek said. “You can see the mix of anxiety in contact with your own legislators to let them
and fear and even rage that comes from the know, ‘I’m going to do my best to comply, but I
workers when they actually are presented with need you to know how this is impacting me.’ It’s
the ability to talk about this because they’re a really meaningful way to give communication,”
saying, ‘What the heck is going on here? We didn’t Mills said. “There’s power in numbers.”
ask for this.’”
Mills said she recommends “intentional
Sellek said the New York-based nonprofit One Fair preparation but not panic.” Though the changes
Wage pushed for changes to the Michigan are big, they won’t cause instantaneous
minimum wage that don’t align with the disruptions. For instance, not every
interests of the people it purports to help. employee will take 72 hours of paid time
off right away; the paid sick time must
“On the surface, it was just going to still accrue over time.
change the minimum wage, but it
also included buried in the details If you have Hammond also advises that
that it would wipe out the way our very bare- businesses keep an eye on how
tipping system works today, and federal labor and employment
that’s just unacceptable to the bones staffing, laws might shift after the U.S.
workers themselves,” Sellek said. it’s something Presidential Inauguration in
you’re going to have January 2025.
A Save MI Tips rally at the
Michigan State Capitol in to think through. “We don’t know what’s going to
September drew nearly 1,000 Even for a larger happen in the next year, but we
workers from throughout have to monitor both the federal
Michigan, he said. The advocacy company with over 50 and the state and do what we
group has also coordinated employees, staffing do currently, which is make sure
meetings with lawmakers so that is a big deal. we’re in compliance with both,”
tipped workers can share their Hammond said.
personal stories.
Clifford Hammond, Businesses violating the state
“This line of work is essentially the Foster Swift Collins mandates are subject to investigation
most all-American, entrepreneurial & Smith PC by the Michigan Department of Labor
type of work that you can have if & Economic Opportunity’s Wage and
you’re willing to work hard and hustle,” Hour Division, administrative fines, and
Sellek said. orders to pay back any earnings withheld
improperly. And that’s before the civil claims.
GOING FORWARD
“There’s a lot of incentives here to do it right from an
While uncertainty abounds about the Improved employer side because it could be costly,” Hammond
Workforce Opportunity Wage Act and the Earned Sick said. “And there’s a lot of incentives for employees and
Time Act, labor and employment law experts emphasize their counsel to bring the claims because they can get
that it’s vital that business owners make their concerns paid pretty significantly. So there’s a lot of skin in the
known to their state legislators, trade groups, and game for everybody to get it right.”
chambers.
For more information on Michigan’s minimum
“The chamber and all sorts of statewide organizations wage and paid medical leave requirements, visit
and associations are putting their hat in the ring to www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/ber/Wage-
try to make an impact here, so get connected with and-Hour. u
groups that you feel are going to advocate strongly. Get

Stay ahead of changes to Michigan’s Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage laws with support from the
Lansing Regional Chamber members. Our member directory is your resource for connecting with trusted
legal, CPA, and HR professionals who can provide expert guidance and keep your business compliant.
Visit lansingchamber.org to explore your options today!

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