Michigan employment lawyers
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Unfortunately, employment discrimination, like other forms of discrimination, can often occur under pretext. In other words, the employer's reason for taking certain action is false, and is intended to cover up the employer's discriminatory intent.
We handle the following types of employment law and discrimination cases:
michigan employment harassment lawyers
Workplace Harassment and Hostile Work Environment
Workplace harassment also known as harassment on the job can occur in many forms.
Verbal and Physical Harassment
Being Harassed at Work? Speak to one of our Workplace Harassment Attorneys at (313) 415-5559.
Unlawful workplace harassment does not end with what is listed above. In many cases, there is a myriad of unwelcome conduct (verbal and physical) and harassers (supervisors, co-workers and others) that ultimately creates a discriminatory or hostile work environment for an employee. Workplace harassment can vary from case to case, and whether job harassment rises to a level of illegal discrimination will depend on the specific facts of each case. If you’d like to discuss the facts of your own employment harassment claim with an experienced attorney, please contact us today. We offer free initial consultations for sexual harassment claims and work on a contingent fee basis, so you won’t have to pay us unless we win your case.
Verbal and Physical Harassment
- One of the most common behaviors that come to mind when you think of workplace harassment is verbal harassment. Verbal harassment can include jokes, slurs, name-calling, and insults based on gender, national origin or race to name a few.
- Physical harassment is another form of workplace harassment, though it is far less common than verbal harassment. Physical harassment, like pushing, groping and other touching, can occur in any number of harassment claims, but is more often associated with unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment.
- Harassment is perhaps most intimidating when it comes from a supervisor or superior. Supervisors can use their position of authority to subject employees to discriminatory conduct, leaving the employee trapped and vulnerable. Supervisor harassment can often lead to constructive discharge when the employee is essentially forced to leave his or her job due to discrimination or harassment on the job.
- A hostile work environment exists when an employee experiences discriminatory workplace conduct under Title VII, or harassment so pervasive and so severe that the employee is fearful of going to her or his workplace for fear of being abused, offended, intimidated, or being exposed to such an oppressive work atmosphere due to the behavior of the harasser. A hostile work environment is also one of two ways that may establish a sexual harassment claim.
Being Harassed at Work? Speak to one of our Workplace Harassment Attorneys at (313) 415-5559.
Unlawful workplace harassment does not end with what is listed above. In many cases, there is a myriad of unwelcome conduct (verbal and physical) and harassers (supervisors, co-workers and others) that ultimately creates a discriminatory or hostile work environment for an employee. Workplace harassment can vary from case to case, and whether job harassment rises to a level of illegal discrimination will depend on the specific facts of each case. If you’d like to discuss the facts of your own employment harassment claim with an experienced attorney, please contact us today. We offer free initial consultations for sexual harassment claims and work on a contingent fee basis, so you won’t have to pay us unless we win your case.
Michigan Discrimination Lawyers
Workplace discrimination can occur in many ways. Fortunately, there are state and federal laws that protect employees rights, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion.
Some of the more common forms of discrimination on the job include:
Some of the more common forms of discrimination on the job include:
- Age discrimination
- Disability discrimination
- Sex discrimination, including sexual harassment
- Pregnancy discrimination
Age or Disability Discrimination
If you need a lawyer for disability related issues in the workplace, including discrimination or reasonable accommodation, let our attorneys help you take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your rights. Federal employment protection laws exist for a reason.
Sex Discrimination (Sexual Harassment)
We help individuals who have suffered discrimination at work on account of their gender. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, demands for sexual favors in exchange for employment, retaliation against an employee who refuses sexual advances, the existence of a hostile work environment, or being demoted or fired because of pregnancy.
Wrongful Termination Lawyers
All states follow a doctrine known as "at-will" employment. At-will employment or employment at-will basically means that an employer may terminate an employee at any time, with or without reason. Likewise, an employee may quit at any time for any reason. This means that unless there is an employment contract, or agreement to a fixed term of employment, an employer may lawfully terminate an employee for any number of reasons, even unfair reasons. Lawful reasons to terminate an employee include disliking the employee; or any mistake the employer believes the employee has made, whether or not the employee has actually made the mistake.
There are recognized exceptions to the "at-will" employment doctrine. An employer may not terminate an employee for reasons that include the employee's age, race, disability, sex, or religion. There are state and federal laws that protect employees from wrongful termination on these grounds, including Title VII, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you were fired or terminated because of your age, race, disability, sex, or religion, you may have a claim for wrongful discharge. Even if you are not discharged, but you quit or resign because of a hostile work environment, your resignation can be treated as a termination.
This is known as a the doctrine of constructive discharge. The concept of a constructive discharge is by necessity a way to hold employers accountable when they try to get rid of employees in a disingenuous manner or under the pretext of non-discriminatory action.
Pursuing a Wrongful Termination Claim
It is often necessary to submit a claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before filing a lawsuit. These and other procedural issues can pose issues for anyone unfamiliar with wrongful termination laws. As with any complex legal matter, retaining an attorney is highly recommended.
There are recognized exceptions to the "at-will" employment doctrine. An employer may not terminate an employee for reasons that include the employee's age, race, disability, sex, or religion. There are state and federal laws that protect employees from wrongful termination on these grounds, including Title VII, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you were fired or terminated because of your age, race, disability, sex, or religion, you may have a claim for wrongful discharge. Even if you are not discharged, but you quit or resign because of a hostile work environment, your resignation can be treated as a termination.
This is known as a the doctrine of constructive discharge. The concept of a constructive discharge is by necessity a way to hold employers accountable when they try to get rid of employees in a disingenuous manner or under the pretext of non-discriminatory action.
Pursuing a Wrongful Termination Claim
It is often necessary to submit a claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before filing a lawsuit. These and other procedural issues can pose issues for anyone unfamiliar with wrongful termination laws. As with any complex legal matter, retaining an attorney is highly recommended.