
When you start an LLC (Limited Liability Company), it is inevitable that you will hire employees sooner or later. For every other business structure, hiring employees requires a handful of rules to follow. Before you start hiring employees in an LLC in Michigan, you must understand a few things.
LLCBuddy editors shared their tips on how to hire employees in your LLC. On this page, you will find what the requirements are to hire people in your LLC as a single-member or multi-member LLC. Let’s dig deeper into the ins and outs of hiring employees in Michigan LLC.
Hiring Employees in Michigan
In order to hire employees in a Michigan LLC, there are many requirements that a business has to fulfill. First of all, there are a few steps you have to follow in order to get employees on board. Besides these steps, there are a few more important things you must know about hiring employees in your LLC.
Step 1: Publish a Job Description
The first step to hiring employees in your LLC in Michigan is to publish a job description. The JD must be detailed, clean, and easily understandable by the applicants. A few important points should be there on the JD, such as the job profile, eligibility (who can apply), the remuneration, job type (full-time/part-time/contractual), and other offerings of your company. All of these should be clearly mentioned in the Job Description.
Step 2: Comply with the Legal Side of Hiring in Michigan
When you hire employees in your LLC in Michigan, it is mandatory to be compliant with the laws of hiring people in your state. The following points should be included in the hiring process and later on,
- No discrimination based on colour, religion, race, or any such factors
- Make sure to comply with IRS guidelines
- Do not mention any false statements on the job description or fake promises that are not part of your LLC or business
- Comply with regulations like minimum wages, hiring immigrants, etc.
Once the legal compliance is met, there are a few tasks to be done before and after hiring employees in your Michigan LLC.
Some Other Points to Consider:
There are some employment rules and regulations (Federal and State) to follow or comply with before and after you hire people in your LLC.
Federal & State Employment posters in Michigan
The employers in Michigan are required to show both Federal & State Employment posters mentioned in the Equal Employment Opportunities Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), etc. You should seek professional help to fulfill all the norms or requirements.
Federal & State Required Forms
Hiring employees is a lengthier process that involves the filing of different forms & applications. Suppose you wish to hire employees in Michigan. In that case, you must ask your employees to submit the Employment Eligibility Form, the Federal Tax withholding form, the W-4 Form, the Workers Compensation Claim Form, Disability Self-Identification Form, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form, etc. These Legal forms are easy and free to download.
Requirements of the Michigan New Hire Reporting program
Employers of Business owners are bound by Michigan’s New Hire Reporting Program, under which they have to submit a report consisting:
- Company Name
- Company Address
- Company federal tax ID number
- Employee’s Name
- Employee’s Social Security Number
- Employee’s Address
- First Day of Paid Work
In addition to the forms mentioned above, payments, taxes, tax forms, & requirements, there may be some additional compliance for hiring in Michigan; you must adhere to those norms as well.
Can an LLC Hire Employees?
An LLC or a Limited Liability Company can be regarded as a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. The owners of the LLC are often referred to as members. Individuals, Corporations &, in some cases, other LLCs can form an LLC as members.
The members form LLCs because of their limited or no liability provided to the owners or members. In the event of liabilities arising out of an employee’s action, the members of the LLC are not personally liable- the LLC is liable for the actionable claim.
Any LLC (even one with a single owner) can hire unlimited employees on wages or salary. (The single-member owner LLC may have different rules and regulations). In addition to the salaried employees, the LLC can appoint Independent contractors for certain tasks on a contract basis.
Rules to Hire Employees in an LLC in Michigan?
Just like any other business corporation, an LLC is also not immune to certain procedures & rules of hiring. An LLC files many documents & pays a number of taxes to various Government Agencies while hiring employees. Some of the essential rules or steps to hire employees in an LLC are:
- Federal Employer Identification Number – Every LLC must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. EIN helps report taxes & a few other documents to the IRS.
- Employee Eligibility Form – It is mandatory for an LLC owner to check if the employee is eligible for employment in the U.S. An LLC has to ask the employees to submit the I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form, to verify the identity of the employee & to authorize the employment. The I-9 form is a mandatory requirement while hiring an employee.
- Employee’s Social Security Number – The employee has to have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) to work. LLCs have to ask the new employees to submit their SSNs before employment. The SSN is helpful for payment & tax purposes.
- Setting up a process for collection & payment of the appropriate taxes – There has to be a due process for the employees’ future collection & payment of taxes. This process needs to be set up by the employer (in this case, the LLC)
- Employee handbook – In the hiring process, one of the crucial elements of hiring paperwork is an Employee Handbook. Although it is not essential in Michigan, it is usually needed as one of the legal documents in many other states. An Employee Handbook consists of a complete list of all the basic rules & policies of the company.
- Michigan Payroll Taxes – An LLC that is running a business with employees or businesses with employees has to pay many federal taxes & state Taxes. Following the rules on payroll taxes is also an essential requirement. After hiring employees, an LLC is subject to the State Unemployment Compensation Act. Under the said Act, an LLC will have to pay Unemployment tax to the state & to do that, the LLC must register itself with the Michigan Workforce Commission. The process involves simple steps & can be completed in 20 minutes.
Payroll taxes also include Federal Income Tax withholding; an employer can withhold money from the employee’s account for the income tax. - Workers’ Compensation Insurance: An LLC operating in the state of Michigan has to carry workers’ compensation insurance & has to display relevant posters.
- New Hire Report or Report of the New Employee – An LLC has to
- Report about hiring the new employees in the form of “Report of New Employee(s)” to the Michigan Workforce Commission within 20 days from the date of hire.
- Deposit and report federal employment taxes as per the IRS procedures for payroll reporting & payment.
Laws Relating To Wages Of Employees
The State of Michigan follows a combination of federal laws and State-enforced laws. Provisions such as basic minimum wage, working hours, leave of absence, and other rights and protections are ensured to the employees working in the State through these laws.
- The current standard minimum wage in Michigan is $9.65 per hour as of January 1, 2021.
- Employers in Michigan must comply with any final pay requirements when an employee’s employment terminates.
- Employers are prohibited from discriminating against and retaliating against employees who fall into one of many protected categories under Michigan law. Employers must also provide equal pay for equal effort, as well as protect whistleblowers.
- The business LLCs have to abide by the federal as well as State regulations while employing workers in their business enterprises.
Structure Of Wages Of Employees
This section covers Michigan employment laws and regulations, including state civil rights legislation, payroll requirements, vacations and leave of absence, whistleblower protection acts, and labor laws that affect unions.
Michigan Minimum Wage
The Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act is operative in Michigan, which covers employees above 16 years of age. Under this Act, the minimum wage is determined at the rate of $9.87 per hour in 2021. The minimum wage is set to increase with every financial year. However, in case the unemployment rate hikes beyond 8.5% in a year, then the wage hike is not enforced in the State. There are certain exclusions to the minimum wage rule applicable in the State of Michigan.
Tipped Employees
The federal legislation, the Fair Labor Standards Act, allows businesses to pay a lower hourly minimum wage if that salary, plus any tips earned, equals at least the full minimum wage for each hour worked. Employers may give tipped employees an hourly rate of $3.67 in 2021 if the total hourly compensation is equal to the state minimum wage.
Youth Minimum Wage
Michigan minimum wage laws have established provisions to enable employers to pay young employees under the age of 17 years a subminimum wage up to 85% of the standard minimum wage applicable in the State.
Trainees
Trainee employees in the State under the age of 20 years have the right to receive a sub-minimum wage at the rate of $4.25 per hour for the first 90 days of employment under Michigan minimum wage legislation. The law also oversees any act of employers replacing any employee to hire young employees at a lower salary rate.
Learners
Under the Michigan minimum wage laws, employers should compensate the student learners a subminimum wage rate lower than the standard minimum wage offered in the State.
Michigan Overtime Laws
The standard work hours in a week are set at 40 hours in the State of Michigan. In case an employee works beyond the 40-hour threshold in a week, then the employer should compensate such employee at the rate of 1.5 times their usual pay rate for the number of hours worked beyond the 40-hour work limit.
Child Labor
The Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA) of Michigan forbids adolescents under the age of 18 from working in certain vocations that are dangerous or hazardous occupations, such as construction, factory, and mining. Michigan’s child labor laws limit the kind of jobs that children can do, as well as the number of hours and times they can work.
Rights of Employees
Any business or LLCs in Michigan that hires employees need to know the employees’ rights. These rights are to secure the employees in their jobs. Employee rights in Michigan are as follows,
Anti-discriminatory Rights
In the State of Michigan, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act forbids discrimination on the basis of race, origin, sex, color, age, or any other protected class by Michigan companies with one or more workers.
Equal Pay
According to Michigan’s Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, an employer with two or more workers may not discriminate among their employees based on factors like sex and gender, when all the employees are exposed to similar working conditions and the employees deliver equivalent work.
Occupational Safety
The State-enforced Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) ensures workplace safety and compensation in the event of an accident or the death of an employee at their workplace.
Protection to Whistleblowers
The Whistleblowers’ Protection Act of Michigan bans employers from firing, retaliating, or otherwise discriminating against an employee who discloses or is about to report a violation or suspected violation of a law, regulation, or rule to a public body, verbally or in writing.
Time Off and Leaves of Absence
Employers with 50 or more workers must give eligible employees paid sick and safe leave under the Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA). Employees are qualified for one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours they work, up to a maximum of 40 hours annually.
Moreover, the employers may be required to provide an employee with unpaid medical leave in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act or other federal laws.
Final Pay
Employers must pay all salaries owing to dismissed workers before the next normal paycheck, regardless of whether the termination was voluntary or involuntary.
In case of the death of an employee, the employer must reimburse all of the dead employee’s outstanding salaries, including fringe benefits, under a signed contract, policy, or plan, to the spouse, children, or parents of the dead employee.
FAQs
An LLC is a business entity that can be treated as either a corporation, a partnership, or a sole proprietorship.
The owners of the company are not personally liable for the actions of the employees, the LLC is liable for any such actions.
Before hiring an employee, under federal law, the business has to verify an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States with the (IRS Form I-9). The business owner also has to make sure the employee has a valid SSN or Social Security Number.
LLC members, or LLC owners, are self-employed according to the IRS because they pay themselves through the earnings of the LLC.
How to Hire Employees Fast in Your Michigan LLC
To hire employees for your Michigan LLC, you need to verify if the person is eligible to work in the US and then report him/her as ‘new hires’ to the state.
One of the first steps in hiring employees quickly is to have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities you are looking to fill. Take the time to create detailed job descriptions that outline the specific skills and qualifications needed for each position. By being specific about your expectations, you can attract candidates who are the best fit for the job, saving you time and effort in the long run.
In addition to having clear job descriptions, it is important to have a streamlined hiring process in place. From posting job ads to conducting interviews, each step should be clearly defined to ensure a smooth and efficient hiring process. Consider using recruitment tools and software to help streamline the process, making it easier to track candidates and stay organized throughout the hiring process.
When it comes to attracting top talent, consider leveraging social media and networking to your advantage. Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and industry-specific forums to promote your job openings and engage with potential candidates. By casting a wide net and engaging with candidates through various channels, you can increase the likelihood of finding the right candidates quickly.
Once you have identified potential candidates, it is crucial to move quickly through the interview process. Consider setting up initial phone screens to quickly assess candidates’ qualifications and determine if they are a good fit for the role. From there, schedule in-person interviews promptly to further evaluate candidates and make informed hiring decisions.
When it comes to selecting the right candidate for the job, consider looking beyond qualifications and experience. Culture fit and attitude are also essential factors to consider when hiring employees quickly. Look for candidates who align with your company’s values and are excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.
Finally, consider employing the help of a staffing agency to assist with your hiring needs. Staffing agencies have access to a vast network of qualified candidates and can help expedite the hiring process by pre-screening candidates on your behalf. By leveraging the expertise of a staffing agency, you can save time and resources while still finding top talent to join your team.
In conclusion, hiring employees fast for your Michigan LLC is achievable with the right approach and strategy in place. By creating clear job descriptions, streamlining your hiring process, leveraging social media and networking, moving quickly through the interview process, considering culture fit, and utilizing staffing agencies, you can onboard the right candidates efficiently and effectively. By following these tips, you can build a talented team that will help your Michigan LLC thrive and succeed in the long run.
In Conclusion
Hiring people in an LLC is not a huge task, however, there are laws, regulations, and other factors to consider. While expanding your company, on one hand, you need to hire employees, on the other hand, you must comply with the laws in the state. In Michigan, if you start an LLC, you might need to hire more people. Make sure to check with SOS and, moreover, the local government body to ensure meeting legal criteria.
All the LLCs with employees are bound by many rules and regulations with reference to wages. It is always advisable to use a registered agent service to understand the laws better. Feel free to share your feedback with us in the comment section below.