To find out about the State Safety and Health Regulations contact:

Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services
Bureau of Safety and Regulation
7150 Harris Drive
P.O. Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
MIOSHA: 517/322-1851
BuSET: 517/322-1809

For information about state labor and wage laws contact:

Wage and Hour Division
Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Affairs
Bureau of Safety and Regulation
7150 Harris Drive
P.O. Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
517/322-1825

To learn about federal labor laws, including those relating to fair employment practices and equal pay, contact:

U.S. Department of Labor
211 West Fort Street, Suite 1317
Detroit, MI 48226-2799
313/226-7447
U.S. Department of Labor
Wage and Hour Division
Lansing Field Station
517/377-1790

There are also a large number of rules designed to insure that employees are not discriminated against because of their race, gender, ethnicity or because they are disabled or come from a foreign country and look, sound, or act foreign. These regulations mandate that employers provide certain benefits to those who are pregnant, have family members who are seriously ill, or who are serving their country. The rules also protect individuals from sexual harassment or those who chose to join a union and to engage in collective bargaining. These rules are derived from legislation like:

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Immigration Reform and Control Act
• Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991
• Affirmative Action
• Rehabilitation Act
• Family and Medical Leave Act
• The Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act of 1994
• The National Labor Relations Act

For information about these rules and regulations click on: www.firstgov.gov

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Detroit District Office
477 Michigan Avenue, Room 865
Detroit, MI 48226-9704
Phone: 313/226-7636 or 800/669-4000
TDD: 313/226-7599 or 800/669-6820
PUBL: 800/669-3362

Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Joyce Morgan Acting, Regional Director
Kluczynski Federal Building
230 South Dearborn Street
Room 570
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-0335
(312) 353-2813 (Fax)

Civil Service Commission
MI Department of Civil Rights
400 South Pine Street
Lansing, MI 48909
517/373-3030

U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Division
202/693-0200
Office of Public Affairs
202/693-0023

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
Detroit District Office
333 Mt. Elliott Street
Detroit, MI 48207
800/755-07777
800/870-3676

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
National Committee
1555 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22209-2405
phone: 800/336-4590
fax: 703/696-1411

National Labor Relations Board
Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue, , Room 300
Detroit, Michigan 48226-2569
Phone: 313/ 226-3200
Fax:313/226-2090
Hours: 8:15 am - 4:45 pm

MI Department of Consumer & Industry Affairs
Bureau of Workers Disability
P.O. Box 30016
Lansing, MI 48909
517/322-1195

Minimum Wage
In Michigan the minimum wage is the same as the federal standard: $5.15 and hour and is applicable to employers of two or more employees. The overtime premium rate is one and one-half times the employee's regular rate, unless otherwise specified. Overtime does not apply to all employees, such as those who are salaried.

Tipped employees:
Basic Combined Cash & Tip Minimum Wage Rate: $5.15
Maximum Tip Credit Against Minimum Wage: $2.50
Minimum Cash Wage: $2.65
The State law excludes from coverage any employment that is subject to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act unless the State wage rate is higher than the Federal.

Average Wages
Would you like to know if you are paying the going rate. You can get the average wage for various occupations in the five county area through the Economic Research Institute web site.

Developing Good Personnel Policies
It is a good idea to take the time to think about your business and marketing goals. This can best be achieved by developing a practical, workable, and affordable marketing and business plan. There are many web sites which offer helpful suggestions about these processes.

Once you have these plans in place, you need to think about how you plan to run your organization. Management should never be left to chance. After you identify your business and marketing strategies you will be able to better identify the staff you will need to implement your vision and the mission of your company. You may want to consider formalizing the operation of your mission by writing a formal mission statement and the guiding principles of your new company. This can help you later remain focused on your primary objectives. Of course, these can always be modified as you gain experience and or market conditions change.

Once you have your mission and guiding principles, it is time to write your corporate policies. These are policies which outline expectation and implementation procedures. They are particularly helpful to insure that good financial and inventory tracking takes place, and that you comply with federal, state, and local laws. A policy and procedures manual can include information about your mission and the philosophy of your organization, policies relating to progressive discipline and terminations, vacation, sick, FMLA, unpaid, academic, and other leave policies, lunch and other breaks, as well as statements regarding equal employment opportunity/ non-discrimination, sexual harassment, alcohol and substance abuse, weapons, smoking, safety and health issues, benefits, and the use of company vehicles, equipment, time, and resources. Oakland County offers business workshops on these topics.

Hiring a good employee
One of the most difficult aspects of running a business is to find the right employees. Your employees and the work they do are a reflection of you and your business. The Ferndale DDA has helped you to make it easier to recruit new employees by offering members a site to post job vacancies.

Before posting a notice about a job opportunity in your company, we recommend that you take the time to write a good job description. This will help to insure that candidates who respond to your notice are a good fit. Take the time to think about the duties you expect the person to fulfill. Make sure your job description includes a detailed description about the regular duties, special assignments, and responsibilities of the position, the minimum and preferred qualifications as well as any education, training, special experience, expertise, or knowledge required and/or preferred, and the physical requirements involved. Finally, be sure that you state clearly the application materials and process, including the name, address, phone, and e-mail of the person to whom the application should be sent. You may also include a link to an on-line application.

Your job application should be reviewed periodically to make sure it complies with federal and state regulations. For example, it should include a statement of the company’s compliance with equal employment, immigration, and other laws. It should include a company’s privacy statement, and a release signed by the applicant allowing you to investigate the accuracy of the application.

Click on the link provided to post a job opportunity on-line.