Wage and Hour Lawyer Troy, MI

Are you dealing with unpaid wages, denied overtime, or other wage and hour issues in Troy, Michigan? You work hard and deserve to be paid fairly. If your employer has withheld wages, misclassified your job, or failed to follow Michigan wage and hour laws, you have the right to take action.

At Fagan McManus, P.C., we help employees like you understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve. We can review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps—whether that means negotiating with your employer or filing a legal claim. Contact our team today to discuss your wage and hour dispute in a free initial consultation.

Wage & Hour Laws In Michigan

Michigan’s wage and hour laws protect workers’ rights related to pay, working hours, and leave benefits. These laws cover minimum wage, overtime, earned sick time, paid medical leave, and wage payments.

Minimum Wage

As of January 1, 2024, Michigan’s minimum wage was $10.33 per hour. On January 1, 2025, it increased to $10.56 per hour. It will increase again on February 21, 2025, to $12.48 per hour. Employers may pay tipped employees a lower hourly wage, but their combined wages and tips must meet the state’s minimum wage.

Overtime Pay

Michigan’s Workforce Opportunity Wage Act requires overtime pay of 1.5 times an employee’s regular wage for any hours they work beyond 40 in a week unless exemptions apply.

Earned Sick Time

Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act allows employees to earn sick time based on their hours worked. Specifically, employees earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 10 employees must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year, with an option to allow more. Employers with 10 or more employees must provide up to 72 hours of paid sick time annually.

Paid Medical Leave

Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act applies to employers with 50 or more employees. Eligible employees receive at least 40 hours of paid medical leave per year. Employees accrue leave at a rate of 1 hour for every 35 hours worked, or employers can frontload the 40 hours annually.

Wage Payments

Michigan’s Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act regulates how employers pay wages and benefits. Employers must pay employees regularly—weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly—and provide a detailed pay statement showing hours worked, wages earned, and deductions. Employers cannot make deductions without legal authority, a collective bargaining agreement, or written employee consent.

Common Types Of Wage & Hour Disputes In Michigan

Wage and hour disputes arise when employers do not follow state or federal laws that govern pay, working hours, and employee benefits. Employees of large or small employers in any industry can be affected. Here are some examples of wage and hour disputes that lead employees to take legal action:

Unpaid Overtime: Disputes can arise if employers fail to track overtime properly or misclassify employees to avoid paying them overtime.
Misclassification of Employees: Some employers incorrectly classify workers as independent contractors or exempt employees to avoid paying overtime or providing benefits.
Minimum Wage Violations: Violations can occur if employers pay workers less than the legal minimum wage or fail to make up the difference for tipped employees when tips fall short.
Off-the-Clock Work: Some disputes involve situations where employers expect employees to perform tasks before clocking in or after clocking out without proper compensation.
Meal and Rest Break Violations: Disputes can happen when employers fail to provide required breaks or when they deduct time for breaks employees did not take.
Unpaid Wages After Termination: Employers must pay all earned wages when an employee quits or is fired. Disputes can arise if employers withhold or delay final paychecks.
Illegal Deductions from Paychecks: Employers cannot deduct wages for things like uniforms or shortages without the employee’s written consent or reduce wages below the minimum wage.
Failure to Pay Bonuses or Commissions: Disputes can arise if employers fail to pay agreed-upon bonuses or change commission structures without notice.
Retaliation for Reporting Violations: Employees have the right to report wage violations. Disputes can happen if employers retaliate through termination or other negative actions.
Mismanagement of Leave: Michigan requires some employers to provide paid leave. Disputes can occur if employers refuse to pay for leave or penalize an employee for using earned leave.

Legal Remedies Available For Wage & Hour Violations

If an employer violates wage and hour laws, employees have several legal options to recover what they are owed. One possible remedy involves filing a claim with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Wage and Hour Division. The Division can help employees recover unpaid wages, overtime, or denied benefits.

Employees can also work with attorneys to file civil lawsuits against their employers seeking back pay, liquidated damages (which often equal the unpaid wages), and legal fees. Courts may also award interest on unpaid wages in these cases.

In cases involving retaliation, employees can pursue additional compensation for emotional distress and lost income. Michigan law allows claims to cover violations going back up to three years.

How An Employment Law Attorney Can Help With Wage & Hour Disputes

An employment law attorney can review your situation to determine if your employer violated wage and hour laws. They can help you explore your options, gather evidence like pay stubs and time records, and calculate the full amount of unpaid wages or benefits you deserve.

If negotiation with your employer is possible, an attorney can pursue a fair settlement on your behalf. If your case requires legal action, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. They can also handle retaliation claims if your employer took negative actions after you raised concerns. Having legal support significantly increases your chances of recovering the compensation you’re owed.

Contact An Employment Law Attorney Serving Troy, Michigan

If you believe your employer has violated wage and hour laws, don’t wait to take action. Fagan McManus, P.C. can help you fight for the wages you’ve earned. Call us today at 248-542-6300 to arrange your free initial consultation. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Driving To Our Royal Oak Office

If you’re planning to visit Fagan McManus, P.C. to discuss your wage and hour dispute in person, we look forward to meeting with you and learning more about your case. Our office is conveniently located at 25892 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Here’s how you can reach us.

From the North

Take Woodward Avenue (M-1) south toward Royal Oak. Continue past 11 Mile Road, and the destination will be on your right, just south of Lincoln Avenue.

From the South

Take Woodward Avenue (M-1) north toward Royal Oak. Pass 10 Mile Road and look for the destination on your left, just before Lincoln Avenue.

From the East

Head west on 11 Mile Road toward Woodward Avenue. Turn left onto Woodward Avenue and continue south. The destination will be on your right, just south of Lincoln Avenue.

From the West

Head east on 11 Mile Road toward Woodward Avenue. Turn right onto Woodward Avenue and continue south. The destination will be on your right, just south of Lincoln Avenue.