Michigan Worker Rights
Michigan’s minimum wage is rising in steps, a new earned sick time law took effect in 2025, and the state restored prevailing wage and repealed right-to-work.
- Michigan
Pay
- Minimum wage: above the federal rate and rising in scheduled steps toward $15 by 2027.
- Overtime: 1.5x over 40 hours a week.
- Final pay: by the next regular payday.
- Prevailing wage: restored in 2023 for state-funded construction projects.
Breaks and leave
- Earned Sick Time Act: in effect since 2025; employees earn paid sick time based on hours worked, with yearly limits that depend on employer size.
- No state law requiring meal or rest breaks for adults.
Unions and right-to-work
Michigan repealed its right-to-work law for private-sector workers, effective in 2024, so a union contract can again require covered workers to pay at least a fee for representation. See Your Right to Organize.
Where to file
- Unpaid wages and overtime: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division.
- Discrimination and harassment: Michigan Department of Civil Rights, or the U.S. EEOC.
- Safety: MIOSHA, the state plan, covers most private and public employers.
- Work injuries: report the injury to your employer right away, in writing, and follow up with Michigan’s workers’ compensation agency. See Workers’ Compensation.
Check current rules: this is a summary. Wage rates and labor laws change often, usually on January 1 or July 1, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm details with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity before acting. Federal protections apply too. See Where to Get Help.
Standards & references
Last updated: