Labor & Employment

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4320: Labor: hours and wages; employee who files a claim alleging that an employer violated 2018 PA 337; prohibit the commissioner from disclosing the employee's name to the employer under certain circumstances. Amends sec. 9 of 2018 PA 337 (MCL 408.939).

HB 4320 amends Michigan's Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, which addresses employee hours and wages. The bill primarily affects employees who file claims alleging wage violations and the state agency responsible for investigating these claims. It adds a new provision stating that if an employee requests it, the state director (or their designee) investigating a wage claim must not disclose the employee's identity to the employer, to the extent allowed by law. This aims to protect the anonymity of employees reporting potential wage violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects workers' rights by prohibiting disclosure of employee identity in wage violation claims, preventing employer retaliation per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4321: Labor: hours and wages; identity of employee who files a complaint under 1978 PA 390; prohibit department from disclosing to employer if requested by employee. Amends sec. 11 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.481).

House Bill 4321 proposes an amendment to the existing law governing the payment of wages and fringe benefits to employees. This bill introduces a new provision that allows employees to request that their identity be withheld from their employer when filing a complaint about alleged wage or benefit violations. If such a request is made, the Department of Labor is prohibited from disclosing the employee's identity to the employer, to the extent allowed by law. This change directly affects employees who file complaints by offering them potential anonymity, and employers who will receive complaints without knowing the specific employee's identity if requested.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects employee anonymity when filing wage complaint, reducing retaliation risk and strengthening enforcement of wage laws per bill's explicit prohibition on disclosing identity to employers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4323: Labor: fair employment practices; whistleblowers' protection act; modify definition of employee and protected activities. Amends title & secs. 1, 2, 3 & 5 of 1980 PA 469 (MCL 15.361 et seq.) & adds sec. 4a.

HB 4323 proposes amendments to Michigan's Whistleblowers' Protection Act, aiming to expand protections for individuals reporting violations of state, local, or federal law. The bill broadens the definition of "employee" to include independent contractors and certain prospective employees, and adds refusing to participate in a violation as a protected activity. It extends the time limit for filing a civil action to two years and increases the civil fine for employers who violate the act from $500 to $10,000. Additionally, the bill introduces a mechanism to award the first reporting employee 30% of any money the state recovers as a result of their report.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands whistleblower protections by broadening employee definition, adding protected activities, and increasing penalties for violations, directly strengthening worker rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4316: Legislature: legislative agencies; ombudsman for public employees; create. Creates new act.

House Bill 4316 creates the Office of the State Employee Ombudsman within the legislative council. This new office is tasked with investigating complaints from state employees regarding suspected violations of law, conduct endangering public health or safety, or gross mismanagement of public funds by state departments and agencies. The ombudsman can initiate investigations or respond to complaints, accessing agency records and holding informal hearings. The bill establishes procedures for complaint processing, confidentiality, and requires the ombudsman to issue reports with findings and recommendations to both complainants and the legislative council.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates Office of State Employee Ombudsman to investigate labor complaints, aligns with 'Labor: fair employment practices' subject and protects public workers' rights via complaint mechanisms.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4326: Labor: fair employment practices; whistleblower protection; modify to include employees reporting to the state employee ombudsman or the press. Amends secs. 1, 2 & 3 of 1980 PA 469 (MCL 15.361 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4316'25

House Bill 4326 amends Michigan's Whistleblowers' Protection Act to expand the types of disclosures protected from employer retaliation. It prohibits employers from discharging or discriminating against employees who report a violation or suspected violation of law to "the press" or "the state employee ombudsman." The bill also protects employees who are asked to participate in investigations by a public body or the state employee ombudsman. It clarifies that "employee" includes state employees (excluding the state classified civil service) and outlines civil action procedures for alleged violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands whistleblower protections by prohibiting retaliation for reporting violations to press or state ombudsman, strengthening worker rights under fair employment practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Public Employees

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SR 36: A resolution to recognize April 28, 2025, as Workers’ Memorial Day.

Senate Resolution 36 officially recognizes April 28, 2025, as Workers’ Memorial Day in Michigan. The resolution pays tribute to workers who have been injured, disabled, or died due to workplace accidents, both in Michigan and globally. It also urges all citizens to honor the contributions of Michigan's workforce and call for increased workplace safety standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly urges 'increased workplace safety standards' and honors workers injured/dying in accidents, aligning with support indicators for workplace safety improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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passed · Michigan · House Apr 24, 2025

HR 71: A resolution to declare April 28, 2025, as Workers Memorial Day in the state of Michigan.

House Resolution 71 declares April 28, 2025, as Workers Memorial Day in the state of Michigan. This resolution honors Michigan workers who have been injured, disabled, or died due to workplace accidents.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDeclares Workers Memorial Day to honor workplace accident victims, symbolically supporting workplace safety awareness and worker protection within Labor & Employment policy framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4405: Employment security: benefits; low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during the summer months; allow. Amends sec. 27 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.27).

House Bill 4405 aims to allow low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during the summer months. It amends Section 27 of the Michigan employment security act to adjust how weekly unemployment benefits are calculated. The bill increases the maximum weekly benefit rate and the monetary allowance for each dependent. These adjustments are scheduled to be phased in annually, beginning in January 2025 and continuing through January 2028, affecting individuals eligible for unemployment benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides unemployment benefits for low-wage school employees during summer, directly supporting educators' financial stability and workforce retention in education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands unemployment benefits for low-wage school employees during summer, increasing weekly benefit rates and dependent allowances, directly advancing worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4409: Labor: fair employment practices; written job descriptions; require employers to create and disclose to job applicants and certain employees, and establish sanctions and remedies for a violation. Amends title & sec. 18 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.488) & adds sec. 9a.

House Bill 4409 requires employers in Michigan to create and maintain a written job description for every position, directly affecting employers, job applicants, and current employees. These descriptions must detail essential duties, required skills, working conditions, schedule, and salary information. Employers must provide the applicable job description to applicants during recruitment, hiring, or promotion, and to any employee upon request. Current employees must also be given an opportunity to review and initial any revised job description before it is applied to them. Violations can lead to escalating civil fines for employers and allow aggrieved individuals to sue for actual damages or $10,000, plus attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates written job descriptions with salary details, promoting transparency and fair hiring practices under labor law, directly protecting worker rights and reducing discrimination risks.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4406: Employment security: claimants; provisions regarding seasonal workers; eliminate. Amends secs. 27 & 28b of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.27 & 421.28b).

House Bill 4406 amends the Michigan employment security act, primarily by eliminating specific provisions related to seasonal workers. The bill also modifies how unemployment benefits are calculated for claimants. It incrementally increases the maximum weekly benefit rates for unemployed individuals, with these changes taking effect annually from January 1, 2025, through 2028. Additionally, the bill updates the definitions for eligible dependents, such as changing "husband or wife" to "spouse," which affects the calculation of additional benefits. This legislation directly impacts unemployed individuals seeking benefits in Michigan, as well as seasonal workers previously covered by specific employment security provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases maximum weekly unemployment benefit rates (2025-2028) and updates definitions to expand worker benefits, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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