Protecting You And Your Business

Michigan’s new Earned Sick Time Act: A guide for other caregivers

On Behalf of | Jan 23, 2025 | Employees' Rights

The Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) in Michigan, starting on February 21, 2025, helps workers get paid sick leave for health reasons. Employees, including part-time and seasonal workers, can earn up to 72 hours of paid sick leave each year. Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees can get 40 hours of paid sick leave and 32 hours of unpaid leave.

How the act works

Under this law, workers can use earned sick time for several reasons. They can take time off if they or a family member, a child, parent, sibling, or grandparent, is ill or needs medical care. This includes going to the doctor or getting treatment for an illness or injury.

Employees can also use this time if they or their family members are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. In these cases, the law allows time off for:

  • Medical care
  • Counseling
  • Legal services

Employees can also take time off for school meetings about a child’s health or disability. If a public health emergency closes a school or workplace, caretakers can use their sick time to care for a child. The law also protects employees from having to find someone to cover their shifts when they take time off.

Who counts as family?

The Earned Sick Time Act has a broad definition of family. It includes:

  • Grandparents
  • Grandchildren
  • Siblings

It also covers anyone related by blood or with a close family-like relationship with the employee. This means caregivers who are not parents can still use the benefits of this law.

For example, grandparents can use earned sick time to take their grandchildren to doctor appointments or care for them during illnesses. Siblings can take time off work to help a brother or sister recovering from surgery or dealing with a chronic condition.

Get advice you can trust

Understanding all the details of this law can be challenging. If you are a caregiver, seeking legal advice might be a good idea. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights and make sure you get the benefits you deserve. They can also assist if you face any issues with your employer about using earned sick time.

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