Michigan Earned Sick Time Accrual Calculator

Estimate earned sick time accrual under Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (HB 4002, effective February 21, 2025): one hour for every 30 hours worked. Annual cap is 72 hours for employers with 11 or more employees, 40 hours for smaller employers.

Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (effective February 21, 2025) accrues at one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 72 hours per year for employers with 11 or more employees, and up to 40 hours per year for employers with 10 or fewer employees. — Michigan LEO — Earned Sick Time Act

Scope: This calculator models the statewide minimum under the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act effective February 21, 2025. Small-employer accrual began October 1, 2025. Frontloading arrangements and local ordinances may produce different results.

Enter your hours and employer size

Michigan Earned Sick Time Act accrual rule

Under Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (HB 4002), covered employees accrue one hour of earned sick time for every 30 hours worked. Accrual begins on the first day of employment and continues throughout the accrual year.

Basic formula

raw accrual = hours worked / 30 accrual counted = min(raw accrual, annual cap) estimated balance = prior balance + accrual counted - leave used

Employer-size caps

The annual cap depends on employer size. Employers with 11 or more employees allow up to 72 hours per year. Employers with fewer than 11 employees apply a 40-hour cap. A more generous policy may exceed these limits.

When can leave be used?

Accrued leave may first be taken on the 90th calendar day of employment (for employers with 10 or fewer employees, accrual for small businesses began October 1, 2025). Hours continue accruing during the waiting period; the balance shown here may not yet be legally available.

Carryover and year-end balance

Unused earned sick time carries forward to the next year, up to the applicable annual cap (72 hours for 11+ employee employers, 40 hours for smaller employers). An employer may permit additional carryover.

Leave payout at separation

The Michigan Earned Sick Time Act does not require payout of unused sick time at separation. Unused leave is forfeited when employment ends unless a written employer policy provides otherwise.

What this calculator does not determine

Whether an employer is covered — all Michigan employers are covered, but the cap differs by size.
Whether small-business accrual (for employers with 10 or fewer employees) began October 1, 2025 for your specific employer.
Whether an employer uses a compliant frontloading arrangement instead of per-hour accrual.
Whether a specific absence qualifies as an authorized use of earned sick time.
Whether a local ordinance or employer policy provides more generous benefits.

Worked examples

Example 1: employer with 11 or more employees, 2,160 hours worked

hours worked = 2,160 raw accrual = 2,160 / 30 = 72.000 hours annual cap = 72 hours counted accrual = 72.0 hours

Example 2: employer with 10 or fewer employees, full year

hours worked = 1,200 raw accrual = 1,200 / 30 = 40.000 hours annual cap = 40 hours counted accrual = 40.0 hours

Sources and verification

The accrual ratio, employer-size caps (72 hours / 40 hours), 90-day waiting period, and October 2025 effective date for small businesses are sourced from the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act and Michigan LEO Earned Sick Time Act guidance, verified August 2026. See the site's methodology for how rules become tested calculator logic.

Common questions

What changed with the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act in 2025?

The 2025 Earned Sick Time Act (HB 4002, effective February 21, 2025) replaced the prior Paid Medical Leave Act. The new law expanded coverage to all employers, increased the cap for larger employers to 72 hours, and added accrual for small businesses starting October 1, 2025.

When can a new Michigan employee use earned sick time?

New employees may not use accrued sick time until the 90th calendar day of employment. For employers with 10 or fewer employees, accrual itself did not begin until October 1, 2025.

Does Michigan earned sick time carry over?

Yes. Unused hours carry forward to the next year, up to the applicable annual cap — 72 hours for employers with 11 or more employees, 40 hours for smaller employers. An employer may allow more generous carryover.

Is Michigan sick time paid out at termination?

The Michigan Earned Sick Time Act does not require payout of unused sick time when employment ends. A written employer policy may create a separate obligation.

What can Michigan earned sick time be used for?

Leave may be used for the employee's own illness, injury, or medical care; care for a family member; and for absences related to domestic violence or sexual assault. This calculator estimates accrued hours — it does not determine whether a specific absence qualifies.