(WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer directed the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to submit a request for rulemaking to expand the right to overtime pay to more Michigan workers.
Changes in federal law are set to extend overtime pay rights to workers making up to $35,500, but less than one in six Michiganders will benefit, according to a news release.
"In America, hard work should be recognized and rewarded. When I was growing up, that meant you got overtime if you worked more than 40 hours,” said Whitmer. "Strengthening paychecks is good for families, good for business, and good for our economy. It’s time to get it done.”
“Governor Whitmer’s directive to increase overtime pay protections is good for workers and good for Michigan’s economy. This directive begins the rulemaking process, which will include feedback from businesses and key stakeholders, and we look forward to their participation as we move forward," said Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio in a press release.
Once the request for rulemaking is submitted, the process to finalize an overtime rule could take between 6 to 12 months.
