Minimum Wage Increase and Posting Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2018, minimum wage in Michigan will increase from $8.90/hour ($3.38 for tipped employees) to $9.25/hour ($3.52 for tipped employees) pursuant to the Michigan Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (the “Act”), which repealed the Minimum Wage Act of 1964 in 2014. Minor employees that are ages 16-17 may be paid 85% of the minimum wage as long as the hourly rate is never below the federal minimum wage.
Starting in 2019 and thereafter, any increases to minimum wage will be calculated by the average annual change in the consumer price index for the midwest region for the most recent five-year period. However, there will not be any increase if Michigan’s unemployment rate (as determined by the bureau of labor statistics of the United States Department of Labor) was over 8.5% for the preceding year. In addition, the maximum yearly increase will be capped at 3.5%. The new rate will be posted by February 1 of each year on the Wage and Hours Division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ website and the adjusted rate is effective on April 1 of such year. The rate for tipped employees will be 38% of the inflation-adjusted minimum wage.
The Act also requires employers to post a copy of the Act, or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“MIOSHA”) poster, WHD 9904 MIOSHA Required Poster, General Requirements - Minimum Wage and Overtime, in the workplace. MIOSHA works collaboratively with employers and employees to: (1) protect earned wages and fringe benefits; and (2) prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
As is common with many employment laws, employers should also be aware of all other related laws that may be applicable and/or overlapping. In order to ensure compliance with the Act and other related employment laws regarding payments (including, without limitation, the Michigan Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act, the Michigan Sales Representative Act, and the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), employers may want to seek the advice of an experienced employment attorney.
Employees covered by the overtime provisions of the Act must be paid one and a half times their regular rate of pay for all hours actually worked exceeding 40 hours in a workweek. The Act also provides exemptions from minimum wage and overtime for employees that are properly classified as executive, professional, or administrative. However, meeting the exemption requirements can be complicated and result in litigation if an employee is not properly classified as exempt. Therefore, employers should be sure to closely review/update job descriptions and verify exempt employees actually perform the duties identified in their job descriptions to comply with exemptions. It is also helpful to regularly update job descriptions so employees are aware of the essential functions of the job. The following article highlights how critical a well drafted job description can be in defending a claim. READ MORE
For more information regarding this topic or other employment matters, please contact me at either 248.351.7060 or [email protected].
Security Professional Raytheon Intelligence and Space at Allied Universal
6 年It should be$ 17.00 all across the board for all states. If you pay more people would pay more to eat out and be able to get groceys.