GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A bill approved late last night by the Michigan Legislature pertaining to the state's paid sick leave policy is heading to Governor Whitmer's desk to be signed into law.
In workplaces where there are fewer than 10 people employed, workers will get up to 40 hours of paid sick leave each year but won't receive an extra 32 hours of unpaid sick leave. Employees in larger companies will still get up to 72 hours of paid sick leave each year.
The Michigan Manufacturers Association has been preparing its members for changes to Michigan's earned sick time.
"We did get some big concessions last night from the Legislature that will help them comply while protecting earned sick time," MMA president and CEO John Walsh said Friday on West Michigan's Morning News.
He added, "We have work to do, but I'm in a good mood this morning."
Walsh told WOOD Radio that the imposition of tariffs on other countries makes members of his organization "nervous."
"We don't like tariffs. They impact the supply chain, and that means ours or theirs - whoever they may be. It's the uncertainty right now that has us a little bit on edge. But in other areas, President Trump and his administration already has shown a strong signal for bringing manufacturing back to the U.S."
Also on the positive front, Walsh said several manufacturing industries have bounced back economically in recent years.
"Aerospace, agriculture, automotive, of course. Health care. There's a mini boom going on and it's exciting," he said.
During a presentation in Grand Rapids on Friday morning, Rehmann's Elizabeth Williams, principal of HR Solutions, was scheduled to speak to West Michigan employers about key aspects of Michigan's new Earned Sick Time Act.
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