New Regulations for Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave in Michigan

Starting February 21, 2025, all small businesses in Michigan will be subject to new requirements for minimum wage and paid sick days, based on a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court on July 31, 2024. To prepare local businesses in Lenawee County for the upcoming changes, the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a webinar titled "Implications of New Requirements for Paid Sick Days and Minimum Wage Increases" for Wednesday, September 11, from 9 to 10 AM. This informative webinar, organized in collaboration with the Small Business Association of Michigan, is described by the GLCC as "an insightful lecture on topics with the potential to significantly impact your small business." Sean Dennis, President and CEO of the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce, and Brian Calley, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, will lead the webinar. "Starting February 2025, small businesses in Michigan will have to provide paid sick days to their employees, and the minimum wage will be increased. These changes are of great importance to all small business owners to be timely prepared," the Chamber's announcement states. Registration to participate in the webinar is required. There are no costs involved. Registration can be done via the Small Business Association of Michigan’s registration form at tinyurl.com/Small-Business-Association. Those experiencing issues while registering can click the "Reset Password" tab on the registration page or send an email to membercare@sbam.org. For those unable to attend on September 11, a recording of the program will be available later. Following the Michigan Supreme Court's decision on "Adopt and Amend," which includes an increase in the current minimum wage, the abolition of tipped wages for all workers, and complex measures for the accumulation of paid sick days, Brian Calley emphasized that the new mandates could have significant negative impacts on small businesses. He urged legislators to act quickly to protect Michigan's economy. Following this decision, the new, gradually raised minimum wage in Michigan from 2025 will exceed the previous level of $10.33 per hour and will be adjusted annually for inflation. The abolition of tipped wages could also fundamentally change the income model for many service professions. Additionally, all employers, including those with fewer than 50 employees, will be required to offer paid sick days based on hours worked. Thus, nearly every employer will have to make changes in how sick leave is accumulated.