Michigan Employment Laws

Prohibits employment discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, familial status, and marital status. Applies to employers with 1 or more employees — broader than federal Title VII.

Protects employees who report violations of law to a public body. Extremely short 90-day filing deadline from the retaliatory act.

Michigan minimum wage is $13.73/hour effective January 1, 2026 ($12.48 effective Feb. 21, 2025). Tipped minimum wage rises to 40% of general minimum ($5.49). No increase if state unemployment rate exceeds 8.5%.

Effective February 21, 2025: employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Large employers (11+): up to 72 hours annually. Small employers (10 or fewer, effective Oct. 1, 2025): up to 40 hours.

If an employer's handbook, policies, or oral representations create a legitimate expectation of job security or just-cause termination, those promises are enforceable as contract terms — a significant exception to at-will employment.