UPDATED – Jan. 10 2024
The countdown is on to Feb. 21, the date the Michigan Supreme Court’s monumental decision on earned sick time and minimum wage will take effect, and the Michigan Chamber has been working hard to help members understand their compliance obligations and lawmakers understand the negative implications the decision could have on employers and workers alike – urging a bipartisan solution.
What we’ve been doing:
- Worked with lawmakers to introduce legislation to make the laws more workable and are pushing tirelessly to see legislation passed and sent to the Governor’s desk prior to the February deadline. Check out our bill analysis and why the House proposals are preferred by job providers.
- Organized a diverse coalition of over 75 business groups (and counting) who share our concerns about the Court’s decision. Read the coalition leave-behind, aimed at informing lawmakers.
- Presented at more than two dozen informational sessions across the state to help businesses understand their compliance obligations and why it’s important that business leaders make their voices heard with lawmakers on these critical issues.
- Scheduled meetings with close to 100 lawmakers to ask for their help in passing legislation to soften the impact of the Court’s decision.
- Hosted five webinars and live Q&A sessions aimed at educating employers on the Court’s decision and their compliance obligations. You can view on-demand recordings of the latest Q&A sessions with our legal partners. (Free for members and $25 for non-members.)
- Crafted and posted a comprehensive toolkit full of compliance resources developed by the Chamber and trusted partners, which has been accessed by 2,000+ Michigan businesses to date. It includes an FAQ, comparison of the Paid Medical Leave Act (current law) and the Earned Sick Time Act (what the Court ordered into effect come 2/21/25), a compliance worksheet, employee notification letter, sample handbook policy, and more.
- Answered over 1,100 compliance questions and pushed the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for clarity on those questions. View LEO’s most recent FAQ document on ESTA and information on the minimum wage schedule.
- Conducted dozens of interviews – from radio and tv to print – on this issue, sharing concerns about the decision, its damaging impacts and far-reaching consequences for both employers and workers, and why lawmakers must prioritize fixing it.
- Stood up a grassroots strategy for our members and the business community as a whole. To get legislation across the finish line, job providers will need to be active in their communities and make their voices heard with lawmakers. Get involved today.
Have questions? Contact Wendy Block.