Earned Sick Time Act
Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act: What Dental Practices Need to Know
Updated: Feb. 26, 2025
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Feb. 20, 2025 signed House Bill 4002, bringing some revisions to Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act, known as ESTA. These changes took effect Feb. 21 for most businesses and impact how dental offices manage employee sick leave.
Key Changes that Affect Dental Practices
Small Businesses (10 or fewer employees):
- Employees accrue one hour of sick time per 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours of paid leave per year (no unpaid leave).
- These businesses will not have to comply with ESTA until Oct. 1, 2025.
Larger Businesses (11 or more employees):
- Employees accrue up to 72 hours of paid sick leave annually.
Employers Can Use PTO to Meet These Requirements:
- Businesses may offer paid time off policies that meet or exceed the above thresholds.
- Some confusion remains regarding how this applies — further clarification may be needed.
Improved Employer Protections:
- The new law removes the automatic presumption of employer guilt in disputes which was part of the original legislation.
- Employees can no longer go directly to court if they believe an employer violated the law. Complaints must follow a review process first.
What This Means for Your Dental Practice
- Review and update your HR policies to ensure your sick leave policies comply with the new requirements.
- Stay informed. Clarifications may arise as the law is implemented. Be sure to watch for updates from the MDA.
- Ask the experts. Have questions? Submit them using the form below, and an MDA representative will get back to you.
- Access the MDA’s on-demand webinar — learn more from HR expert and MDA Journal columnist Jodi Schafer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, with a pre-recorded session available anytime.
- Make your voice heard. This law impacts dental practices across Michigan. If you have concerns or opinions about the Earned Sick Time Act, you’re encouraged to contact your state legislators and let them know how this law affects your business.
Your voice matters! Reach out and advocate for policies that support Michigan’s dental community.
Sample Employee Handbook
To help you comply, the MDA has revised its Staff Matters® Sample Employee Handbook to include ESTA’s requirements. This Sample Employee Handbook can be downloaded at no charge and customized by you or your office manager to fit the needs of your office. Many MDA members are familiar with this Sample Handbook — if you are not, the MDA encourages you to download it and use it as a template in your practice. The Sample Employee Handbook was revised by MDA Journal columnist Jodi Schafer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, one of Michigan’s leading human resources experts.
Additional Resources
Have questions? Ask the MDA!
Fill out the form at right, and an MDA representative will respond with guidance on how the revised Earned Sick Time Act impacts your dental practice.
New Recorded Webinar
Jodi Schafer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, HR expert and MDA Journal columnist, is offering an updated one-hour on-demand webinar addressing the recent changes to the Earned Sick Time Act. This on-demand webinar is $50 for MDA members and $100 for nonmembers.
Learning objectives:
- Actionable Steps for the ESTA: Get a comprehensive breakdown of the Earned Sick Time Act requirements and identify practical next steps required by your organization to stay compliant.
- HR and Employee Sick Leave Plan Changes: Gain insights into how HR departments need to update or revise various policies and administrative processes to maintain compliance.
For more updates, stay connected with the Michigan Dental Association.
Questions? Contact Amy Schaeffer, human resource specialist.
