The purpose of MI labor laws is to make certain that employers treat their staff fairly. The state government implements regulations in order to protect Michigan employee rights concerning wages and fringe benefits and provide a safe working environment.

As a business owner, it may be difficult to fully grasp all of the regulations and restrictions that you must abide by in regard to your employees. An examination of Michigan labor and employment law basics reveals three main areas to get you started:

1. Employers must pay their employees comparable salaries or minimum wage and compensate employees fairly for overtime under Michigan labor laws.

2. Labor laws in Michigan maintain strict regulations regarding the employment of minors.

3. An employer must maintain workers’ compensation insurance to protect his or her business and employees under Michigan work laws.

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Pay your employees appropriately under Michigan labor and employment law

Businesses employing two or more employees must pay those employees the state or federal established minimum wage at that time, whichever is higher. Additionally, there is a requirement to pay time an a half (1.5 times the regular hourly wage they receive) to employees for each hour worked over 40 hours in one week's time.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Labor provides a quick reference for the current minimum wage in Michigan. You must hang a minimum wage poster at your business for employees to see. Visit LaborLawCenter to purchase professionally printed MI labor law posters.

Apply Michigan employment laws regarding youth employment

Under Michigan state labor laws for youth, your business cannot employee someone under the age of 18 unless that person has a work permit. Employees under the age of 16 cannot work between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. nor more than 48 hours in one week. While in school, the combination of hours in school and hours at work cannot exceed 48 hours in one week.

I recommend: The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth lists the restrictions regarding the type of employment that minors can engage in. Implement the Safety & Health Management Systems eTool provided by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration to create a safe working environment for youth employees.

Protect your business under Michigan labor law with workers' compensation insurance

Labor law in Michigan requires employers to maintain workers' compensation insurance to protect employees and their families if injury or death occurs on the job. The burden of proof that the injury occurred while working is on the employee. However, employers may have to cover medical expenses prior to the conclusion of litigation.

I recommend: Obtain quotes from insurance providers on WorkmansCompInsurance.net. For continued advice and case assistance regarding labor laws, consult with a law firm, such as Sommers Schwartz P.C.

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• •  Michigan labor laws require business owners with employees to contribute quarterly to the state's unemployment insurance fund, which provides income to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (such as layoffs). Employers file form UIA 1020 to calculate the unemployment tax they owe each quarter.

Michigan employment law helps employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Michigan labor laws help both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.

Michigan labor and employment law makes working better for everyone. Michigan labor laws, although originally intended to improve working conditions for laborers, boosts business owner’s bottom line by increased productivity. Understanding and complying with Michigan labor and employment law will:

1. Help you stay in compliance with the labor department.

2. Provide productive work environments for employees.

3. Protect your businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

Michigan labor laws deal with job safety, employee foreman ratios, break time, lunch time and safety standards within the work environment. Updated Michigan labor laws meet the demand of new technology and constantly changing work requirements.

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Display Michigan work laws posters in easy to read locations around your company

Keeping employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under Michigan work laws keeps them empowered. Michigan labor law posters provide the latest updates or changes in labor law in Michigan. Labor law posters provide immediate responses to employees labor related questions, so keeping them in easy to read locations is important.

I recommend: GovDocs and LaborLawCenter.com carry up to date government recommended MI labor law posters for display around your facility.

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up to date on employment law in Michigan

The only way to guard your company from frivolous lawsuits and keep employees happy is to promote a safe work environment and understand your rights as an employer. Keeping up to date on changes to current labor laws in Michigan and how they affect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Visit the Michigan Employment Relations Commission for issues regarding labor disputes. MIOSHA takes care of workplace safety and health standards for Michigan companies.

Increase productivity by going above and beyond the requirements of labor laws in Michigan

Employment law in Michigan, as in any state, gives guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to keep employees happy is a great way to increase overall productivity.

I recommend: Read MIOSHA standards for all industries in Michigan. HRhero.com is a subscription service offering the latest updates to state by state employment law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss employment law changes with your union representative. If you are a non union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources department is in charge of all employment law related issues.
• •  Display MI labor law posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference rooms, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are all great places to put labor law posters.

Michigan employment law regulations are in place in to make certain employers treat their employees fairly. Some of the regulations that Michigan work laws enforce include minimum wage requirements, child labor protections, the rights of terminated employees, preventing discrimination in the workplace, and benefits for employees injured on the job.

Occasionally, there are changes or additions to MI labor laws. It’s a good idea to seek out recent information and make sure you, as an employer, are always current on the regulations in place. There are many resources available. Consider these options as you look for Michigan labor and employment law news and trends:

1. Subscribe to blogs that provide explanations and advice on topics like labor laws in Michigan.

2. Frequent online magazines that discuss tips for implementing labor law in Michigan, services to assist your effort and strategies for success.

3. Periodically check for additions and changes to Michigan employment laws.

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Subscribe to blogs that discuss Michigan labor and employment law

Many legal blog writers discuss various legal topics on a regular basis to help you make the most of and understand the laws in place. A search of the blog post archives will likely reveal posts on topics such as Michigan worker laws.

I recommend: Workplace Prof Blog has an entire section devoted to labor and employment law. Labor & Employment Law Blog covers a broad range of topics, including wages and hours.

Access magazines for up-to-date information on Michigan labor law

There are many Internet magazines and newsletters to which you can subscribe and receive periodic emails with legal information and trends. You can also search their websites for previous articles regarding employment law strategies and advice. Another option is to subscribe to the hard copy version of the magazine.

I recommend: Visit HRhero.com to subscribe to the Michigan Employment Law Letter and receive 12 monthly issues in the mail, news alerts by email, access to the subscribers-only area of the website and special in-depth reports. HR Specialist provides subscriptions to the Michigan Employment Law newsletter.

Check for updates and changes to employment law in Michigan

Periodically, governments make changes or additions to laws through the passing of bills and amendments. As an employer, it's important that you check labor laws frequently for such changes to make sure you're applying the laws correctly. This will ensure the protection of your business and your employees' rights.

I recommend: Visit the Michigan Legislature website to search bills that are currently in process or compiled laws. Simply enter words like "labor" or "employee" in the keyword search. RSS to sites like EINNews.com for the latest information on legal issues in Michigan.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It may be difficult to find websites, blogs and magazines that focus solely on Michigan labor and employment law news and trends. More than likely, you will find resources that have more broad-range coverage on federal and state legal issues. Most websites provide a search function so that you can find information on specific topics.

Companies that operate in Michigan must comply with federal and state laws regulating certain business practices. For example, depending upon the size and type of your business, you may be required to offer COBRA insurance to departing employees. Regardless of the situation, Michigan business owners and HR professionals should familiarize themselves with key facts and terms related to Michigan labor and employment law.

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Restricted occupations

Restricted occupations are jobs that minors are prohibited from performing.

I recommend: The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth identifies the occupations that minors are not legally permitted to engage in. See the list of examples of hazardous work and links to federal and state guidelines for employing minors.

At will employment

Companies that adhere to the 'at will employment' policy are permitted to terminate employees for almost any reason that is not prohibited by law.

I recommend: Lawyers.com clarifies the at will employment doctrine as practiced by Michigan companies. Find out how this doctrine applies to workers bound by standard employment contracts.

Discrimination

The concept of discrimination under Michigan or any other state employment law refers to the illegal practice of hiring, promoting, or terminating an employee based on age, race, religion or physical handicap.

I recommend: Access the employment discrimination discussion at the website of Michigan employment law attorneys Miller Cohen. They identify situations that could give rise to sustainable discrimination lawsuits.

Commission sales violations

Companies are guilty of commission sales violations when they refuse to pay an employee who works under a commission arrangement and has fulfilled certain obligations that normally award the payment of commissions.

I recommend: Huizenga Hergt clarify how Michigan employment law handles situations in which businesses are justifiably accused of commission sales violations. In particular, find out how Michigan courts interpret and enforce commission sales contracts.

Wrongful discharge

Wrongful discharge is the termination of an employee for reasons prohibited by federal or state law.

I recommend: Michigan employment attorney James E. Curtiss discusses the different situations under which employees may file wrongful discharge claims.

State and federal labor law posters

State and federal labor law posters notifying employees of certain legal rights and their employers' responsibilities are required in Michigan and other states.

I recommend: HR Michigan identifies the state and federal labor law posters that Michigan organizations must display in the workplace.