Uncategorized

MICHIGAN BUSINESS? PAY MICHIGAN’S MINIMUM WAGE.

QUESTION: I recently started a small landscaping/snow removal business. Last summer I employed two people; this year I’m hiring four. I heard the minimum wage in Michigan just went up. My business is really small – do I have to pay the Michigan minimum?

ANSWER: Sorry – looks like you do! The new rate of $8.90/hour ($7.57 for minors 16-17) applies to employers who employ “two or more persons 16 years of age or older.” If your workers are 16, you’re on the hook for the new hourly rate. You also need to keep track of your workers’ hours– both Michigan and federal law require workers to get time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in one week.

But, given your business, you might be able to cut your payroll expenses by hiring some strong teenagers, and pay them the lower rate of $7.57 per hour.

If you are starting a new business, you may want to consult a lawyer, to make sure you understand federal and state requirements.

The lawyers at GWINN TAURIAINEN PLLC are experienced attorneys and are happy to answer your questions. Give us a call for a free initial telephone consultation about your legal needs. For consideration of your questions in our web column, please submit your inquiry on the “Contact Us” page of our website at www.gwinntauriainenlaw.com.

Information provided on “Ask the Lawyer” is current as of the date of publication. Laws and their interpretation are subject to change. The material provided through “Ask the Lawyer” is informational only; it should not be considered legal advice. Submitting a question to “Ask the Lawyer” does not create an attorney-client relationship between the person submitting the question and GWINN TAURIAINEN PLLC. To view previous columns, please visit our website

ASK THE LAWYER
By: Daniel A. Gwinn, Esq.
Attorney and Counselor at Law
GWINN TAURIAINEN PLLC
901 Wilshire Drive, Suite 550
Troy, MI 48084
(248) 247-3300
(248) 247-3310 facsimile
[email protected]
www.gwinntauriainenlaw.com