Michigan Supreme Court Reinstates Higher Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave

The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the state's legislature acted unconstitutionally in 2018 when it modified two ballot proposals aimed at increasing the minimum wage and introducing paid sick leave, effectively restoring the original laws. This landmark decision means that, starting February 2023, Michigan's minimum wage will rise to over $12 per hour, with plans to increase it to approximately $15 per hour over the next three years. Additionally, employers with at least 10 workers will be required to offer 72 hours of paid sick time, and those with fewer than 10 employees must provide 40 hours of paid sick leave plus 32 hours of unpaid leave if accrued. This ruling is a significant victory for low-wage workers in Michigan and marks the end of the controversial 'adopt and amend' strategy used by Republican lawmakers to alter the 2018 ballot initiatives.