Michigan Labor Laws

Michigan Sick Leave Law: Accrual, Caps and Who Is Covered — Best Proven Guide (2026)

By Oleg Kachko · Updated October 8, 2026
✓ Verified October 2026

The Michigan sick leave law gives you 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, capped at 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers, for all employers. This guide gives the exact michigan sick leave law rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next.

Rules verified against Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division or an attorney before you rely on it.

Michigan Sick Leave Law at a Glance

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Law Yes — paid sick leave
Accrual 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
Annual cap 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers
Who is covered All employers
Statute Earned Sick Time Act (2018 PA 338 as revived by Mothering Justice v. Attorney General (2024) and amended by 2025 PA 2)
In effect since February 21, 2025 (amended October 1, 2025 for small employers)

Michigan Sick Leave Law: The Rule

1 hour for every 30 hours worked. 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers. Covered: all employers. The statute is Earned Sick Time Act (2018 PA 338 as revived by Mothering Justice v. Attorney General (2024) and amended by 2025 PA 2), in effect since February 21, 2025 (amended October 1, 2025 for small employers).

⚠ Michigan sick leave law: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers. In effect since February 21, 2025 (amended October 1, 2025 for small employers).

What Michigan Sick Leave Law Lets You Use Leave For

Under the Earned Sick Time Act, a worker can use earned sick time for their own or a family member’s physical or mental illness, injury or health condition, including diagnosis, treatment and preventive care. It also covers safe leave when the worker or a family member is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. That includes counseling, victim services, relocation, legal help and court proceedings.

It also applies when a public official closes the workplace or a child’s school or care facility because of a public health emergency.

Michigan Sick Leave Law at a Glance

Rules verified against Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.

Law Yes — paid sick leave
Accrual 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
Annual cap 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers
Who is covered All employers
Statute Earned Sick Time Act (2018 PA 338 as revived by Mothering Justice v. Attorney General (2024) and amended by 2025 PA 2)
In effect since February 21, 2025 (amended October 1, 2025 for small employers)

Accrual, Caps and Carryover Under Michigan Sick Leave Law

1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers. For foreseeable leave, an employer can generally ask for advance notice, and for unforeseeable leave a worker should tell the employer as soon as practicable, following the employer’s usual notice policy.

For longer absences, an employer may ask for reasonable documentation, such as a health care provider’s note or, for safe leave, a police report or advocate statement. It cannot require details of the illness or the violence, and it must pay any out-of-pocket cost of getting the documentation.

The leave is paid at your regular rate for the covered employers above; smaller employers in some states must give the time unpaid.

Michigan Sick Leave Law and Retaliation

Michigan employers may not take retaliatory personnel action or discriminate against a worker for using earned sick time, filing a complaint, or otherwise exercising rights under the Act. A worker who believes they were penalized can file a complaint with the state Wage and Hour Division, and should confirm filing options with the agency.

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Local Rules and Michigan Sick Leave Law

NONE. Michigan law (Public Act 105 of 2015) generally bars cities and counties from adopting their own paid-leave mandates, so the statewide Earned Sick Time Act is the rule.

Other Michigan Sick Leave Law Rules to Know

Unused earned sick time generally does not have to be paid out at separation under the Act. However, an employer’s written policy or contract may require payout under the Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act. Small businesses have their own accrual start date and usage cap, which are set by the Act.

Denied the leave you earned? The labor department enforces the sick-leave law for free.

Contact Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division

Michigan — the bottom line

  • The michigan sick leave law gives 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
  • Under the michigan sick leave law the cap is 72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers.
  • The michigan sick leave law protects you from retaliation for using the leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is paid sick leave required in Michigan?

Yes. 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

How much sick leave do I get under Michigan sick leave law?

72 hours a year at employers of 11 or more; 40 paid hours at smaller employers.

Which employers are covered by the Michigan sick leave law?

All employers.

Can I be fired for using sick leave in Michigan?

Michigan employers may not take retaliatory personnel action or discriminate against a worker for using earned sick time, filing a complaint, or otherwise exercising rights under the Act.

When did the Michigan sick leave law take effect?

February 21, 2025 (amended October 1, 2025 for small employers).

Official Michigan Sources & Resources

This michigan sick leave law guide was last verified against official Michigan sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Michigan Workplace Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.

Hurt at work before you lost the job? See whether workers comp or unemployment applies at Workers Comp Explained. Denied unemployment because you cannot work? Social Security disability may be the right program - start at Disability Claim Info. Lost income and worried about rent? Know your rights before an eviction notice arrives at Tenant Rights Info.