Michigan’s paid sick leave law, also known as the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA), went into effect on March 29, 2020. The law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year to their employees. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to provide paid sick leave, but they may choose to do so voluntarily.
The PMLA covers all employees who work in Michigan, regardless of their immigration status. Employees are eligible for paid sick leave if they have worked for their employer for at least 90 days. Paid sick leave can be used for a variety of reasons, including:
- Physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition
- Caring for a sick family member
- Attending a medical appointment
- School closing or childcare provider closure due to a public health emergency
- Domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
Employees are entitled to take paid sick leave in increments of one hour. The amount of paid sick leave an employee can take in a year is capped at 40 hours. Employees who work more than 40 hours per week may be eligible for additional paid sick leave, up to a maximum of 80 hours per year.
How to Create a Michigan Paid Sick Leave Policy
If you are an employer with 50 or more employees in Michigan, you are required to create and implement a paid sick leave policy. The policy must comply with all of the requirements of the PMLA. The following steps will help you create a Michigan paid sick leave policy:
- Review the PMLA: Familiarize yourself with the PMLA and its requirements. You can find the full text of the law on the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website.
- Determine Your Eligibility: Determine whether your business is required to provide paid sick leave under the PMLA. If you have 50 or more employees, you are required to provide paid sick leave.
- Establish a Leave Policy: Decide how you will implement paid sick leave in your workplace. You can choose to provide paid sick leave for all employees, or you can limit it to certain employees or types of leave.
- Create a Written Policy: Create a written paid sick leave policy that outlines your policy, including the amount of leave that employees are entitled to, the reasons for which leave can be taken, and the process for requesting leave.
- Distribute the Policy: Distribute the written policy to all employees. Make sure that employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the policy.
Requirements for Michigan Paid Sick Leave Policies
The PMLA sets forth a number of requirements for Michigan paid sick leave policies. These requirements include:
- Amount of Leave: Employers must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year to eligible employees.
- Eligibility: Employees are eligible for paid sick leave if they have worked for their employer for at least 90 days.
- Reasons for Leave: Paid sick leave can be used for a variety of reasons, including physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; caring for a sick family member; attending a medical appointment; school closing or childcare provider closure due to a public health emergency; and domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
- Notice: Employees must provide their employer with reasonable notice of their need to take paid sick leave, unless it is an emergency.
- Documentation: Employers may require employees to provide documentation to support their need for paid sick leave.
- Retaliation: Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who take paid sick leave.
Conclusion
The PMLA is an important law that provides Michigan employees with access to paid sick leave. Employers are required to create and implement paid sick leave policies that comply with the law. Employees who are eligible for paid sick leave should be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Michigan paid sick leave policy template can be found online or through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. These templates can help employers create paid sick leave policies that comply with the PMLA.
FAQ
What is the Michigan Paid Sick Leave Act?
The Michigan Paid Sick Leave Act (PMLA) is a law that requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year to their employees.
Who is eligible for paid sick leave under the PMLA?
Employees who have worked for their employer for at least 90 days are eligible for paid sick leave under the PMLA.
What are the reasons for which paid sick leave can be taken under the PMLA?
Paid sick leave can be taken for a variety of reasons, including physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; caring for a sick family member; attending a medical appointment; school closing or childcare provider closure due to a public health emergency; and domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
