Barry County adopts sick-leave policy to comply with Michigan Earned Sick Time Act

The Barry County Board of Commissioners voted March 11 to adopt a revised sick-leave policy (policy number recorded in meeting materials as 400–404) to comply with Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act. The policy update takes effect immediately as written in the meeting materials.

Why it matters: The new state law requires employers to provide earned sick time for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees. County staff recommended a front-loading approach for many part-time positions to avoid continuous hourly accrual tracking for a fluctuating workforce; some county boards and agencies may use accrual instead.

Key points from staff: Louella, the county administrative/HR official who presented the policy, said the county will continue front-loading 72 hours for full-time employees each Jan. 1 (a practice already in place) and will use a front-load method for many part-time positions rather than accrual because the county’s payroll system cannot automatically track part-time accrual. She said administrative staff drafted a notice form to give employees an estimate of expected hours and the front-loaded sick-time amount.

Union and cost notes: Louella told commissioners the new policy does not supplant existing union bargaining agreements that are still in effect; those employees remain covered by their collective-bargaining language until those agreements expire (noted as Dec. 31, 2025 in meeting remarks). Commissioners and staff repeatedly described the law as an “unfunded mandate,” and staff said tracking and administrative costs were uncertain.

Concerns about front-loading: Several commissioners asked how front-loading could be managed if a part-timer uses front-loaded sick time before actually accruing it and then leaves employment. Louella said the accrual method allows recapture options but that the county chose front-loading for administrative simplicity in many cases. Transit and other agencies with numerous part-time staff were identified as likely to use accrual and report hours to payroll for reconciliation.

Vote and dissent: The board approved the policy by roll call. One commissioner—Carlton—said he would vote no on a motion he had made earlier and recorded a “no” vote; the roll-call record shows other commissioners voting aye and the motion passing.

Implementation and next steps: County staff will provide the notice form to departments that front-load time and will monitor the policy’s financial and administrative impacts through 2025, adjusting practice if needed.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to review costs after a year of implementation and recommended additional outreach to local municipalities and boards about how the law affects small employers.