Michigan Business Beat | David Worthams, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Earned Sick Time Act

Chris Holman welcomes David Worthams, Director of Employment Policy, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Lansing, MI. This episode of the Michigan Business Beat features an interview with David Worthams, Director of Employment Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA), a statewide organization representing nearly 1,800 members — roughly 90% of which are small businesses with 50 or fewer employees — that advocates for manufacturing interests at the state capitol. Worthams, a Lansing policy veteran with experience spanning legislative work, the Michigan Municipal League, and the Michigan Bankers Association, joined the MMA around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The central topic of the interview is the looming Earned Sick Time Act, originally passed via a 2018 ballot initiative, which is set to take effect February 21st of the following year and would require all employers — regardless of size — to provide at least 72 hours of paid leave under terms Wortham describes as poorly defined and litigation-prone. He highlights specific concerns such as vague "practical notice" requirements, the absence of a small business exemption, and a legal presumption that favors employees in disputes. Wortham expressed cautious optimism, estimating roughly a 70% chance that the legislature would pass corrective fixes during the lame-duck session before year's end. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/