A Michigan state representative called on the Democrat-led House, House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to act in response to the Michigan Supreme Court’s recent decision to raise the minimum wage and implement new paid sick leave mandates.
“Local business owners are deeply concerned about whether they can comply with these new mandates without cutting jobs or raising prices,” state Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township, said in a release.
“Employers with less than 10 employees will now have to provide paid sick leave, even to temporary or seasonal workers, without any flexibility or exemptions,” Bollin added. “This kind of rigidity makes it almost impossible for small businesses to survive. We can’t wait until next year to address this — businesses need certainty and solutions now.”
During a recent focus group, Bollin heard from dozens of business owners seeking changes to the paid sick leave policy, such as flexibility in how sick time is allotted and a requirement for employees to provide advance notice of leave whenever possible. However, Democrats have remained largely silent on these issues.
“Democrats need to step up and act now,” Bollin said. “Our businesses are facing more uncertainty right now than they have in years, and it’s leaving our economic climate unstable. They deserve answers.”
Bollin believes businesses should develop leave policies and negotiate them with employees, not comply with government mandates. She wants her colleagues in the majority to come to the table and work on a solution that provides businesses the flexibility they need to keep their doors open and protect jobs.
