Working hard should mean getting paid fairly. But sometimes, Michigan employees face situations where they aren’t sure whether they should be paid. This uncertainty can cause serious financial problems and stress.
When employers don’t follow wage laws—whether by accident or on purpose—workers suffer. You deserve to know exactly when you should receive pay and how much you should get for your time.
Jury duty
In Michigan, serving on a jury is a civic duty. But what happens to your paycheck? State and federal laws do not require employers to pay employees for time serving on a jury. However, many employers have policies that cover some or all of your regular wages during jury service. Further:
- Your employer cannot fire you or penalize you for serving on a jury
- You must receive your regular job back when your service ends
- Some employers voluntarily pay the difference between your jury duty pay and regular wages
You should check your employee handbook or ask HR about your company’s specific policy.
Break time confusion
Breaks can be confusing. Under federal law, short breaks (usually 5 to 20 minutes) are generally paid. However, meal breaks (typically 30 minutes or more) are usually unpaid as long as you are completely relieved from duty.
Michigan does not have specific laws about breaks, so employers follow federal guidelines. Make sure you understand your company’s specific break policies.
On-call and waiting time
Being “on-call” creates some of the most common pay confusion. Whether you should receive pay for these hours depends on how restricted you are during this time.
Generally, you should receive pay when:
- You must remain at the workplace while waiting for assignments
- You can’t use on-call time effectively for your own purposes
- You face severe restrictions on your personal activities
If you’re free to go about your day with minimal restrictions while on-call, your employer might not need to pay you until you are actually working.
Understanding these scenarios can help ensure you receive the pay you deserve. If you have more questions, consider reviewing your employee handbook, asking an HR representative or reaching out to a labor attorney. By knowing your rights, you can feel more confident and informed about your work situation.