Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services March News and Highlights

March is a busy month for agriculture as farmers and agricultural employers prepare for the upcoming growing season. Greenhouses are filled with workers planting and nurturing seedlings, flowers and shrubs, while tree fruit growers focus on winter pruning to ensure healthy production in the spring.

Farmers also begin testing and preparing the soil for planting, applying fertilizers and amendments to optimize fertility. Livestock care continues as farmers monitor the health and feed of their animals.

Additionally, March is a time for essential farm maintenance, equipment checks, and ordering seeds and supplies for the season ahead.

Although the weather may be cold, the dedication and hard work of agricultural employers and farmworkers is preparing Michigan’s farms and nurseries for a successful growing season. The efforts in February lay the foundation for the bountiful crops and vibrant landscapes that will flourish in the months ahead.

For more information on current jobs available visit SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, contact your local Michigan Works! Service Center or contact an Agricultural Employment Liaison (AEL) in your area.

As the 2025 agricultural season gets underway, the role of AELs has never been more critical. AELs are at the forefront of connecting workers with growers, ensuring the season’s workforce are met and both parties are well-prepared for the demands ahead.

One of the primary responsibilities of AELs is to participate in employer onboarding orientations. These sessions serve as a vital touchpoint for both employers and employees, where AELs assess workforce availability and help ensure both sides are aligned in expectations. The orientations provide an opportunity for open dialogue, allowing AELs to bridge any gaps in communication and set a foundation for a productive season.

In addition, AELs provide insights into workforce management, assist growers in understanding labor laws, and support effective hiring practices to attract and retain a reliable workforce. They also identify staffing gaps early, helping employers maintain operational efficiency.

Later in the season, AELs conduct follow-ups to assess workforce needs and provide additional support if required, ensuring a successful agricultural season. Through their efforts, AELs help create a smoother, more collaborative working relationship between employers and employees.

Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act and Minimum Wage laws represent two crucial pillars of the state's efforts to improve workers' rights and enhance economic stability. The Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) ensures employees can take paid leave when they’re ill or need to care for a loved one, while the Minimum Wage law sets a floor for wages, ensuring workers earn a living wage. Together, these legislative measures aim to address gaps in workplace protections, boost worker well-being, and promote a more equitable economy.

Key Points for Earned Sick Time

• Frontloading Paid Sick Time: As an alternative to the accrual method, employers can choose to frontload at least 72 hours of paid sick time for immediate use each year, or 40 for a small business, which eliminates the requirement for carryover or accrual tracking for full-time employees. Employers may frontload paid sick time for part-time employees as well, with a prorated amount, subject to specific notice and true-up requirements.
• Accrual Method: If choosing the accrual method, employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, and unused paid sick time rolls over up to 72 hours. Employers may limit the use of earned sick time to 72 hours, or 40 hours for a small business, in the 12-month period.
• New Hire Waiting Period: If using the accrual method, employers may have a policy for new employees hired on or after Feb. 21, 2025, requiring these employees to wait up to 120 days before using accrued sick time. Employees accrue earned sick time during this waiting period. If frontloading, hours are available for immediate use.
• Small Business Compliance: Small business is defined as an employer having 10 or fewer employees. Small businesses have until October 1, 2025, to comply with ESTA requirements.
• PTO Policy: Employers can use a combined paid time off (PTO) policy to meet ESTA requirements, as long as the total paid leave meets or exceeds the necessary amounts and may be used for the same purposes.
• Hourly Rate: For ESTA purposes, an employee's hourly rate is their normal hourly wage or base rate and excludes overtime, holiday pay, bonuses, commissions, tips, etc.
• Enforcement: The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is responsible for enforcing ESTA.
• Sick Time Increments: Employers may choose to use either one-hour increments or the smallest increment for tracking sick time usage.

 Key Points for Minimum Wage

• Tipped minimum wage: Senate Bill 8 gradually increases the minimum cash wage for tipped employees from 38% of the full minimum wage to 50% of the regular minimum wage by 2031.
• Wage changes: Tipped minimum wage is $4.74 for the rest of 2025.
• Regular minimum wage: Senate Bill 8 keeps the minimum wage to $12.48 starting Feb. 21, reaching $15 by 2027, and adjusts for inflation after that.

Learn more about the Earned Sick Time Act here.

Learn more about the Minimum Wage changes here.

Be part of the 2025 Agricultural Employers Informational Meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Economic Opportunity's Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services team!

This event is a great opportunity to stay informed with updates from state and federal partners, engage with fellow employers, and deepen your understanding of the latest trends and policies influencing the agriculture sector. Lunch will be provided for those attending event in person.

Date: March 20, 2025

Location: Traverse City Michigan Works!
1209 South Garfield Avenue # C Traverse City, MI 49686

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Lunch will be provided)

We invite you to pre-register by clicking on the registration link provided and indicate whether you will be joining us in person or virtually.  We look forward to your participation and hope to see you there! 

Register for the virtual event here. 

Register for the in-person event here.

Explore in-demand jobs using Michigan's Hot 50 Job Outlook

Michigan's Hot 50 Job Outlook highlights high-demand, high-wage careers that show a favorable mix of projected long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages through 2032.

Explore the Hot 50 Job Outlook to discover the expected number of annual openings, pay range and education requirement for each career.

Discover seasonal jobs or temporary jobs

SeasonalJobs.dol.gov is an online platform that links people to seasonal and temporary employment opportunities throughout the United States.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal work or require a short-term job, the website assists you in finding suitable employment.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Region 5 is comprised of 10 states which include Michigan. Annually, the Regional Monitor Advocate hosts training in Chicago for the 10 State Monitor Advocates in the region.

This year, Michigan has been selected to host the 3-day training event and planning is underway! Training presentations will be conducted by Monitor Advocates from the various states, Regional and National ETA staff and several partner organizations.

The National Monitor Advocate System is accessible on the federal Monitor Advocate System website.