Bereavement Leave in Michigan
No state law requires bereavement leave in Michigan
Michigan has no state law requiring private employers to provide bereavement leave. Michigan does have a paid sick leave law (Earned Sick Time Act) that may cover some bereavement-related needs.
What are your options?
Check your employee handbook for your employer's bereavement policy. Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act requires employers to provide paid sick time that may be usable for certain family-related needs. You may also use accrued PTO or vacation time, or request unpaid time off.
Bereavement leave in Michigan: what you need to know
Michigan has no state law requiring private employers to provide bereavement leave. However, Michigan does have a Paid Medical Leave Act that requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. While this law does not specifically cover bereavement, the broad definition of covered uses may provide an avenue for paid time off following a death in some circumstances.
Michigan's auto industry heritage and strong union presence mean that many Michigan workers have bereavement leave protections through collective bargaining agreements. If you are a union member in Michigan, your contract likely includes bereavement leave provisions that may be more generous than what non-union employers offer. UAW contracts, for example, have historically included bereavement leave provisions.
For non-union Michigan workers, bereavement leave depends on employer policy. Michigan's economy has diversified significantly, with growing sectors in healthcare, technology, and professional services. Larger employers in these sectors generally offer 3 to 5 paid bereavement days. Smaller employers and those in retail, food service, and seasonal industries may offer less.
Michigan workers should check whether the Paid Medical Leave Act provides any coverage for their situation. The law allows sick leave to be used for mental health needs and for the care of family members. While bereavement is not explicitly listed, the mental health provision may apply if grief is affecting your ability to work. This is a gray area, and the practical answer may depend on your employer's interpretation.
Michigan's Paid Medical Leave Act, while not specifically covering bereavement, represents a floor that many other states lack. The 40 hours of paid sick leave available to workers at employers with 50 or more employees can provide a meaningful cushion during a bereavement period. If you need to use this leave, consider framing your request around the mental health provision of the law, which covers conditions that prevent you from working. Grief is a legitimate mental health concern.
Michigan's strong union heritage means that collective bargaining has produced some of the most detailed bereavement leave provisions in the country. UAW contracts, AFSCME agreements, and other union contracts often specify not only the number of days and qualifying relationships but also provisions for travel time, documentation requirements, and protections against scheduling retaliation. If you are in a union shop, your contract is the first place to look.
Michigan workers should also be aware that the state's recently expanded Earned Sick Time Act (which replaced the Paid Medical Leave Act following a 2024 Michigan Supreme Court ruling) may provide broader leave coverage than the original law. The expanded act applies to more employers and provides more hours of leave. If your employer has 1 or more employees, you may be entitled to earned sick time that can be used for a range of purposes. Check the current status of this law, as implementation details and legal challenges have created some uncertainty about exactly which version of the law applies to your employer.
More Michigan workplace laws
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Frequently asked questions about bereavement leave in Michigan
Michigan's Paid Medical Leave Act does not explicitly list bereavement as a covered reason. The law does allow sick leave for mental health conditions, which could include grief. Whether your employer accepts this interpretation may vary. It is worth asking HR.
Many Michigan union contracts include bereavement leave provisions. The amount and qualifying relationships vary by contract. Check your collective bargaining agreement or contact your union representative for the specific terms that apply to you.
As of early 2026, no bereavement leave bill has advanced significantly in the Michigan Legislature. The expansion of the Paid Medical Leave Act in recent years has been the primary focus of employee leave legislation in the state.
Michigan state employees have leave provisions governed by civil service rules and collective bargaining agreements. Most state employees may use sick leave for bereavement purposes. Specific provisions vary by bargaining unit and department.
The Paid Medical Leave Act (2018) applied to employers with 50+ employees and provided 40 hours of sick leave. Following a 2024 Michigan Supreme Court ruling, the original ballot initiative (the Earned Sick Time Act) took effect, which covers employers with 1+ employees and provides up to 72 hours of earned sick time. The legal landscape is evolving, so check current requirements with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.