Last Minute Changes to Michigan’s Paid Sick Leave Law
Michigan employers have been scrambling to update employee handbooks and paid leave policies to comply with Michigan’s reinstated Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA), which took effect on February 21, 2025. But businesses may be unaware of the eleventh-hour amendments to the ESTA that took effect as of that date.
Employees are still entitled to accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. But employers with 11 or more employees must now allow employees to use up to 72 hours of paid sick leave per year. Carryover must be allowed unless leave is frontloaded at the beginning of the year. Employers with 11 or more employees who frontload leave must provide at least 72 hours of leave per year.
Employers with fewer than 11 employees can cap paid sick leave usage at 40 hours. If an employer with fewer than 11 employees does not allow carryover, they must frontload at least 40 hours of leave at the beginning of the year.
Unpaid sick leave is no longer required by the ESTA. Employees hired on or after February 21, 2025 may be required to wait until the 120th day of employment before using paid sick leave.
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