On May 11, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-79, which lifts certain requirements of the application process for young Michiganders to obtain a work permit. The executive order went into effect immediately and extends until June 8.
The order suspends the requirements of Youth Employment Standards Act to allow work permits to be mailed, emailed, faxed or sent via the web rather than the previously required in person submission.
“Michigan’s young people are an essential part of the state’s workforce, and making sure they have an opportunity to acquire the proper permit and help fight COVID-19 is vital,” said Whitmer. “This executive order will lift some requirements to ensure those opportunities for them.”
Young Michiganders constitute an important part of the summer workforce, especially because the COVID-19 pandemic requires that many workers stay home when experiencing symptoms or because they are part of a vulnerable population. As a result of the governor’s previous order to close schools for remainder of the school year, obtaining the proper documentation from school personnel is difficult and therefore it is necessary to lift requirements to ensure youth can obtain summer work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
