Can my employer penalize me because I report for jury duty? Does my employer have to pay me regular wages when I am performing jury service?

Michigan law prohibits an employer from terminating, disciplining, threatening or taking adverse actions against an employee because that employee received or responded to a jury summons. An employee may not be required or requested to use annual, vacation, personal, or sick leave for time spent responding to a jury summons, time spent participating in the jury selection process, or time spent actually serving on a jury.


However, the law does not require your employer to pay you wages while you are on jury duty. Many employees are paid wages while on jury duty because it is a negotiated contract provision. Please check with your supervisor to answer this question.


Jury Service is compensated by the Court (District, Circuit or Probate) in which you are selected for.  Please contact them for current compensation rates. 

Show All Answers

1. What is a Jury Questionnaire and why did I receive it?
2. Do I have to respond to the questionnaire?
3. Is the information supplied on the questionnaire really confidential?
4. I received a Jury Questionnaire, does this mean I have to report for jury duty?
5. I received a questionnaire last year and responded that I was either not qualified or I asked to be exempt from service. Why did I receive another questionnaire?
6. I received 2 questionnaires, what should I do?
7. The questionnaire was sent to a family member who is deceased, what should I do?
8. I am unable to complete the questionnaire because of ill health or other physical or mental limitation, what should I do?
9. The questionnaire is addressed to my son/daughter who is away at college, what should I do?
10. The party whose name is on the questionnaire doesn't live at this address, what should I do?
11. What if I lose or damage my questionnaire?
12. How was I selected for jury duty?
13. How long should I expect to serve on jury duty?
14. I am the sole proprietor of a business and lose money when I am called for service, why can I not be excused?
15. I have no transportation to the courthouse for jury duty, what should I do?
16. I am a stay-at-home parent with children that are not yet in school, can I be excused?
17. I am a caregiver to a disabled person, can I be excused?
18. Can my employer penalize me because I report for jury duty? Does my employer have to pay me regular wages when I am performing jury service?
19. I am in the miliary, on active duty, do I have to serve jury duty?
20. I have already served jury duty, can I be called to serve again?
21. Is a DUI (driving under the influence) considered a felony?