Michigan paid sick leave law

What it can be used for

Own or family member's illness or care, domestic violence or sexual assault, school meetings about a child's health or disability, and public health or care closures. Source: legislature.mi.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Notice and documentation

Employers may require up to 7 days' notice for foreseeable use, and documentation after 3 consecutive days, due within 15 days of request. Source: legislature.mi.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Who is not covered

Federal employees, unpaid trainees and interns, youth employees under 1978 PA 90, people who set their own schedules without penalty, and most elected officials. Source: michigan.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Penalties

Up to 8 times the normal hourly wage for failing to give sick time, up to $1,000 per retaliation violation, up to $100 per willful notice violation, plus back pay. Source: legislature.mi.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Recent changes

The Earned Sick Time Act took effect February 21, 2025, as amended by the Legislature, replacing the Paid Medical Leave Act. Small businesses had to comply from October 1, 2025. Source: michigan.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

The law and where to check

The law: MCL 408.961 to 408.974 (Earned Sick Time Act, 2018 PA 338, as amended 2025) (opens in a new tab)

The agency: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division (opens in a new tab)

What federal law says

No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)

Paid sick leave checklist for Michigan employers

A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.

1. Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
2. Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
3. Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
4. Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
5. Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
6. Keep records of time earned and used.

More Michigan employment law guides

• All Michigan employment laws
• Michigan final paycheck law
• Michigan meal and rest break laws
• Michigan overtime law
• Michigan pay frequency law
• Michigan vacation and PTO payout law
• Michigan new hire reporting
• Michigan at-will exceptions

Paid sick leave laws in other states

See every state on one page, or pick a state:

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• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.