Important Update: Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) Changes Effective February 21, 2025
- hrconsultingservic
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
We want to inform you about significant changes to Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) that took effect on February 21, 2025. These updates impact all employers in Michigan and are crucial for maintaining compliance and supporting your employees effectively.
Key Changes to the Earned Sick Time Act
1. Accrual and Usage of Sick Leave:
Accrual Rate: Employees now accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked in a calendar year, with a maximum usage cap of 72 hours per year. Employers have the option to frontload 72 hours at the beginning of the year to simplify the process. natlawreview.com
Small Business Provision: Businesses with 10 or fewer employees are required to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave and an additional 32 hours of unpaid leave, totaling 72 hours. sbam.org
2. Permissible Uses of Sick Leave:
Employees can utilize accrued sick leave for various purposes, including:
Personal or family member's illness, injury, or medical appointments.
Situations related to domestic violence or sexual assault
such as obtaining legal or medical assistance.
Closure of the employee's workplace or a child's school mosey.com
due to public health emergencies.
3. Documentation Requirements:
Employers may request reasonable documentation for absences exceeding three (3) consecutive days. However, the Act prohibits employers from demanding that the documentation specify the nature of the illness or details of domestic violence. manisteenews.com
4. Notice and Posting Obligations:
Employers must provide employees with a written notice detailing their rights under the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and display a conspicuous poster in the workplace outlining these rights no later than March 23, 2025. honigman.com
5. Record-Keeping Requirements:
Employers are required to maintain records of hours worked and sick leave taken by employees for at least three (3) years. manisteenews.com
Recommended Actions for Employers
To ensure compliance with the updated ESTA provisions, we recommend the following steps:
Review and Update Earned Sick-Time Policies: Assess your current sick leave policies and make necessary adjustments to align with the new requirements.
Communicate with Employees: Inform your employees about their rights and responsibilities under the updated Act, providing them with the required notices.
Implement Record-Keeping Systems: Establish or update systems to accurately track hours worked, sick leave accrual, and usage.
Train Supervisors and HR Personnel: Ensure that those responsible for managing sick leave are knowledgeable about the new regulations and can handle requests appropriately.
Additional Resources
For more detailed information, you can refer to the following resources:
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity: Earned Sick Time Act Overview
National Law Review: Michigan Amends Earned Sick Time Act for Clarity and Flexibility
JD Supra: Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act, With Amendments, Has Gone Into Effect
If you have any questions or need assistance updating your policies to comply with the new ESTA requirements, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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