There are two minimum wage laws covering employers in Michigan. The state minimum wage law covers employees 16-17 years of age and over who are not subject to the federal minimum wage rate. The Youth Employment Standards Act which covers workers under 18 years of age states that these workers may not work more than 5 hours without receiving a 30 minute, uninterrupted rest period. There are no laws requiring that adult workers receive breaks or a meal or rest period. They may not work more than 6 days of a work week.
Special provisions apply to minors employed in farm work and agriculture processing.
There are no similar restrictions for adults. Except for firefighters, interstate truck drivers, and airline pilots, there are no laws regulating the hours that adult workers may be required to work. Averaging of hours over 2 or more weeks is prohibited. There is no law restricting an employer's right to discharge an employee for cause or for no reason at all. An employer need not consider seniority or merit in determining whether to layoff or discharge an employee.