2025 Michigan Earned Sick Time Act and Minimum Wage Laws
Please visit this page periodically for updates and additional resources.
Michigan's new Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and Minimum Wage laws are set to take place in Michigan starting Feb. 21, 2025, based on a 2024 Michigan Supreme Court ruling.
The Flint & Genesee Chamber fully recognizes the concerns and sense of urgency surrounding the impact these laws will have on employers and businesses throughout the county and state.
Chamber Action
Since learning about these laws in July 2024, we have been working closely with Kelley Cawthorne, our lobbying firm, to influence changes to the laws at the Michigan House and Senate levels, and help Flint & Genesee businesses prepare for what is to come. In the fall of 2024, we held individual meetings with nearly all legislators in our district, and we were encouraged by their understanding of what is at stake for our businesses and economy.
We have signed on to several industry coalition letters urging lawmakers to make changes that ease the impact of these laws, adding our voice to statewide organizations like the Michigan Chamber and the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. Thankfully, some hopeful movement has taken place in the Michigan legislature since the start of 2025.
We are working to make employers in Flint & Genesee aware of the laws, providing updates on our efforts and changes, and identifying helpful resources.
Informational Webinar
Navigating Paid Leave and Minimum Wage Changes
Join us for an informational webinar on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. The session will include updates from our lobbying firm and an HR solutions expert to help our region's businesses understand what the new laws will require. We'll also share strategies to help minimize disruption to your operations and financials while complying with the laws. A recording will be available to view if you are unable to make the live webinar.
Legislative Updates
Feb. 5, 2025
Thanks to ongoing advocacy from the Chamber and our statewide partners, the Michigan legislature introduced bills in early 2025 to address specifics of the ESTA and Minimum Wage laws, providing definition and parameters to reduce negative impact on employers. The House has passed bills that make these laws more manageable for many employers, and the Senate is now considering similar bills. If passed, these will hopefully provide additional definition and narrow the scope of the laws. Chamber representatives are participating in Senate hearings in the coming days. While we anticipate that something more favorable will be passed before Feb. 21, we are still taking measures to help employers prepare for the laws as currently written.
Employer Resources
We strongly recommend that you download and review these resources, created by some of our partners throughout the state as well as state agencies. These should help you understand some of the specifics of each law, and prepare to comply with what is to come. We will update this information and add resources as we learn of them.
ESTA Outline of Covered Employers and Key Components (PDF)
Michigan Chamber Resources
MI Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)