Under Michigan law, employers must pay employees at a rate of one and one-half the employee’s regularly hourly wage for working more than 40 hours in a workweek.

For some employees, Michigan law allows for the accrual and use of compensatory time instead of cash overtime wages, but there must be a written agreement to do so.

Some employees are exempt from the standard overtime requirement. Employees engaged in administrative, professional, executive, and agricultural activities are exempt from the overtime requirement. Different standards apply to the following employees under Michigan law, but not under federal law:

• Law enforcement
• Employees engaged in fire protection activities
• Hospital employees
• Elected officials
• Political appointees of elected officials not covered by a civil service system
• Amusement or recreational establishment employees if the park operates less than seven calendar months per year

Click for additional information on Michigan overtime law or federal overtime law.

Michigan’s minim um wage is $10.56 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage for tipped employees is $4.01 per hour. See the Michigan website for more information.

Michigan does not have any meal or rest break requirementsfor employees aged 18 or older. However, Michigan requires that minor employees must be given a 30-minute break if they are employed for more than five consecutive hours.

You can file an Wage Complaint Form with the Wage and Hour Division of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. The filing should include as much information and documentation as possible, including pay statements and records of hours worked. This process can be completed with or without an attorney. Click for additional information on filing a wage claim.

If you have a wage/hour claim, do not delay in contacting the Wage and Hour Division to file a claim. There are strict time limits in which wage claims must be filed. In order for the agency to act on your behalf, you must file within three years from the date of the alleged violation. Some violations, however, are subject to a one year deadline.

As you might have other legal claims with shorter deadlines, do not wait to file your claim until your time limit is close to expiring. It may be helpful to consult with an attorney prior to filing your claim, but it is not necessary to have an attorney to file your claim with the Wage and Hour Division.

In Michigan, employees can file a private lawsuit to recover unpaid back wages, liquidated damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.