LANSING, Mich., Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today issued the following statement in response to Senate passage of much-needed legislation to improve Michigan's new mandatory paid sick leave law. The Michigan Chamber and its members have been voicing concerns about the new mandatory paid sick leave law since it was adopted by the State Legislature in September.

"We applaud the Michigan Senate for passing legislation to resolve problems with the mandatory paid sick leave law to make it workable for employees and employers alike," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "Without these changes, the law as adopted would have a negative impact on employee/employer relations."

"The Michigan Chamber delivered powerful advocacy on behalf of members by actively lobbying lawmakers to correct serious flaws in the recently enacted law prior to the March 2019 effective date," noted Jim Holcomb, Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Without changes, Michigan's new mandatory paid sick leave law would make Michigan an outlier in the Midwest and jeopardize our state's competitiveness."

"The Michigan Chamber has been a fierce advocate for these changes," said Wendy Block, Vice President of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber. "Our goal is to find a balance between requiring that employees have access to paid sick leave and making the law reasonable, workable and in-line with what the 10 other states with mandatory paid sick leave laws require." 

The Chamber is hopeful the Michigan House will soon follow suit and send the legislation to Governor Snyder's desk for his signature. For a brief description of the Senate changes, visit www.michamber.com/paid-sick-leave-changes.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce who employ over one million Michigan residents. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce