Any business structure or corporation stands firm on its foundation laid by the employees. An LLC is no exception to this rule. Hiring employees in your LLC comes with some rules, regulations. Before understanding the rules of hiring employees in Michigan LLC, we must understand what an LLC means.
A Limited Liability Company is a business structure that protects the owners from any personal responsibility of the debts or liabilities arising out of the LLC. If an employee action succeeds to liabilities, the owners get the protection against it. LLCs are a combination of the characteristics of a partnership firm & a sole proprietorship.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Hiring Employees in Michigan
In order to hire employees in Michigan LLC, there are many requirements that a business has to fulfill. One should keep these points in mind while hiring employees in an LLC. These requirements include:
1. Federal & State Employment posters in Michigan
The employers in Michigan are required to show both Federal & State Employment posters mentioned in Equal Employment Opportunities Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA), etc. You should seek professional help to fulfill all the norms or requirements.
2. 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, Workers Compensation Claim Form, Disability Self- Identification Form, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form, etc. These Legal forms are easy and free to download.
3. Requirements of 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 owner business. 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 from 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 SSN before employment. The SSN is helpful in 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 hike 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, 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-minimal 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 the employers of 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 hours 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 hours 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 while hiring employees need to know the employees’ rights. These rights are to secure the employees at 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 death of an employee at their workplace.
Protection to the Whistleblowers
The Whistle blowers’ 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 to one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours they worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours annually.
Moreover, the employers may be required to provide an employee 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 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.
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.
So, how can a Michigan LLC hire employees fast and efficiently? Here are some generic strategies to consider:
First, it is essential to establish a clear and comprehensive job description. This document should outline the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the position. By being specific about what you are looking for, you can swiftly narrow down potential candidates and avoid wasting time on those who do not match your requirements.
Next, leverage your professional network. Many great employees can be found through recommendations and referrals from trusted sources, such as current employees, colleagues, or business partners. Inform those in your network about the job opening and ask them to share it with professionals who might be a good fit. Networking not only helps you find quality candidates but can also lead to personnel with a solid work ethic and alignment with your company values.
Posting the job opening on various online platforms is another effective way to find potential employees quickly. Michigan has a range of localized job boards and websites, dedicated to connecting employers with job seekers in the region. Additionally, established online platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed offer nationwide reach and allow you to target specific skill sets and experience levels.
Another technique to streamline your hiring process and attract qualified candidates rapidly is to utilize remote hiring methods. Adapting to technological advancements in the hiring process, conducting virtual interviews, and implementing remote onboarding measures can dramatically expedite the recruitment process. With remote possibilities, capable candidates from further afield can be considered without significant added expense.
In addition to these strategies, consider organizing job fairs or attending career events in your local area. By personally connecting with potential candidates, you can assess their enthusiasm and gauge their interest level quickly. This direct approach can significantly speed up the hiring process by efficiently identifying suitable talent.
Furthermore, Michigan LLCs should bear in mind the significance of a competitive compensation package. Offering attractive benefits and a fair salary can make a substantial difference in attracting top-tier talent compellingly. In a fast-moving hiring environment, you cannot afford to undervalue employees and risk losing them to your competitors.
Lastly, consider partnering with recruiting agencies or professional employment and staffing organizations. Such firms can assist in the hiring process by pre-screening candidates based on job specifications, effectively winnowing down the selection process to a group of highly qualified individuals.
As a Michigan LLC seeking speedy and productive hiring solutions, it is important to remember that patience and due diligence are crucial parts of the process. Finding the right employees may take time, but by implementing these strategies, you increase your chances of efficiently hiring the best-suited candidates for your business needs.
FAQs
An LLC is a business entity that can be treated as either a corporation, a partnership, or a sole owner business.
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 LLC.
In Conclusion
All the LLCs with employees are bound by many rules and regulations with reference to wages. It is always advisable to register a registered agent service to understand the laws better. Feel free to share your feedback with us in the comment section below.
I am employed part time by an LLC cleaning summer condos. My employer says she pays by the square foot but there is little difference in pay for cleaning smaller or larger units. My checks are different every time even if I clean the same unit. There is no statement included with my check as to what I am being paid for each unit. I am a senior citizen.