Reminder: Youth employment permit process changed Oct. 2 

What employers need to know: Michigan launched a new online system for youth employment permits changing how employers hire workers under age 18.

• Earlier this month, the state transitioned to the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP), a centralized platform managed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
• The new system replaces the current process in which local school districts and nonpublic schools issue youth employment permits.

Why it matters: For employers that hire minors, permits can be completed online at any time, eliminating the need to coordinate with school offices, particularly during summer months or school breaks. Of note: 

• A valid work permit issued by a Michigan school before YEPP launched will continue to be honored. Employers should keep existing school-issued permits on file, register their business in YEPP if they plan to hire minors and continue complying with all applicable youth-employment requirements.
• A new YEPP permit will only be required if the minor changes employers or begins working at a different worksite.

Key changes: Under the new system, employers must:

• Register with LEO before hiring minors.
• Complete youth employment permit requirements online through the statewide portal.
• Notify LEO when a minor’s employment ends.
• Benefit from a more standardized and accessible permitting process.

Go deeper: LEO recently hosted a webinar outlining the new system, transition timeline and employer responsibilities. Additional YEPP resources are also available.