Ask The Lawyer Daniel A. Gwinn, Esq.- Extra Pay Is Optional?
WORKING ON CHRISTMAS DAY? EXTRA PAY IS OPTIONAL QUESTION: I own a small, independent gas station. We’ve decided to stay open on Christmas Day. Do I have to pay my employees extra for working that day?
ANSWER: In Michigan, private employers, like you, are not required to pay workers anything extra for working on Christmas Day (or any national holiday). Hourly workers, however, must be paid the overtime rate of 1.5 their usual rate of pay if the holiday work puts them over 40 hours for the week. But, there is no additional bonus required.
Many employers, of course, choose to give their workers something extra for Christmas work – even if it is in the form of a small, non-monetary token of appreciation, like a meal or small gift.
Extra pay for holiday work is often part of a collective bargaining agreement, or employment contract.
The lawyers at GWINN TAURIAINEN PLLC are experienced attorneys and are happy to answer your questions. Give us a call for a free initial telephone consultation about your legal needs. For consideration of your questions in our web column, please submit your inquiry on the “Contact Us” page of our website at www.gwinntauriainenlaw.com.
GWINN TAURIAINEN PLLC, is a Troy based law firm representing clients from Warren, Sterling Heights, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Oak Park, Oakland and Wayne Counties and all of Southeast Michigan.
ASK THE LAWYER
By: Daniel A. Gwinn, Esq.
Attorney and Counselor at Law
GWINN TAURIAINEN PLLC
901 Wilshire Drive, Suite 550
Troy, MI 48084
(248) 247-3300
(248) 247-3310 facsimile
Email Daniel Here
www.gwinntauriainenlaw.com
