Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act sets paid sick time rules.
The Michigan Earned Sick Time Act governs how employees accrue paid sick time, when they can use it and what notice employers must give.
The Basics for Employers.
A plain-English summary. This is general information, not legal advice, and the rules change, so check the current text.
Accrual
Employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 72 hours a year, or 40 hours at employers with 10 or fewer paid workers.
Permitted Uses
Time can be used for the employee’s or a family member’s health needs and for certain safety-related reasons.
Notice and Records
Employers post notices, can require up to seven days’ notice for foreseeable leave, and track accrued hours unless they frontload the full amount.
How it plays out.
The Michigan Earned Sick Time Act requires employers to provide paid earned sick time to employees, and sets how it accrues, how it can be used and what notice employers must give. The law was amended in 2025, and the thresholds and accrual details depend on employer size, so confirm the current text before relying on any summary.
The benefits angle is that sick time can be used for the employee’s own or a family member’s health care, and for some other reasons. Employers often put sick time in the same handbook as other leave, so the plan documents and the policy need to agree.
The law also has recordkeeping and posting requirements. Having the policy, the posting and the payroll tracking aligned is the main way to avoid problems.
Where This Shows Up in Your Plan.
Caregiver Support, Sick Time and Paid Leave: Benefits That Work With Your Health Plan
How leave and sick-time policies fit alongside your health plan.
Employer Benefits Guides: Eligibility, Plan Design, Life Events and Rules
Eligibility, plan design and life-event rules in one place.
Setting it up.
Confirm Your Size Tier
Check which employer-size rules apply.
Pick the Accrual Method
Choose how time is earned and carried over.
Update the Handbook
Make the policy match the law.
Post and Track
Post the notice and track balances in payroll.
Mistakes to avoid.
Relying on an Old Summary
The law changed in 2025.
Mismatched Policies
A handbook and payroll that disagree cause disputes.
No Tracking
Balances have to be recorded.
Other Rules Employers Work With.
COBRA Continuation Coverage
29 U.S.C. 1161
Family and Medical Leave Act
29 U.S.C. Chapter 28
Laws and Rules Referenced
Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (MCL 408.961) — The statute or rule text from its official or public source.
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