If you’ve experienced workplace discrimination, you may have many questions. Below are some questions our lawyers receive most frequently. During your consultation, your employment attorney can address your concerns and give you more personalized guidance.
What is Employment Discrimination?
Employment discrimination occurs when an employer discriminates against an applicant or employee based on certain protected characteristics. These characteristics often include:
- Race
- Color
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Religion
- National origin
- Status as a protected veteran
- Disability
When an employer discriminates against a person or group of people for any of the above reasons, it can involve:
- Refusing to hire
- Firing
- Demotions
- A cut in salary
- Harassment
- Denying benefits
Discrimination can create an unfavorable work environment for victims, affecting their livelihood and mental health.
What are My Rights Against Discrimination in the Workplace?
Anti-discrimination laws exist to protect individuals from discrimination, not only at work but in general. Some of the most important laws include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Protects against employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, and national origin
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA): Protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination
- Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA): Protects men and women who perform equal work for the same employer from wage discrimination based on sex
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): Prohibits employment discrimination based on disabilities
- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA): Prohibits employment discrimination based on an applicant, employee, or former employee’s genetic information
There are also state-specific anti-discrimination laws, including the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.
How Do I Recognize Employment Discrimination?
If you’re experiencing discrimination in the workplace, you’ll generally experience unfair treatment. Common signs of employment discrimination include:
- Being passed up for advancement opportunities
- Being excluded from meetings and conversations
- Negative comments and jokes
- Being denied accommodations
- Unequal pay
- Unjust disciplinary actions
If you believe you’re the target of discrimination, don’t hesitate to take action and consult with a skilled employment attorney.
If I’m Fired From My Job, Is That Discrimination?
Getting fired is an unpleasant experience, but it may not give rise to a discrimination action. Michigan is an at-will employment state. This means, with few exceptions, employers are allowed to fire their employees at any time for almost any reason. Similarly, employees can quit their jobs for just about any reason, with some exceptions.
Still, firing someone based on race, sex, color, etc., is not legal. Therefore, if you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated based on discrimination, it’s important to seek legal assistance from an experienced employment lawyer.
What Do I Do if I Believe I’ve Experienced Employment Discrimination?
If you think you’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace, begin documenting your experience(s) as quickly as possible. Gather any documentation that could serve as evidence, including emails and letters. If someone witnessed the discrimination, get a statement.
Speak with an employment attorney about your situation. A lawyer can determine how to proceed with your case based on the circumstances. This could include filing a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Additionally, you may have the opportunity to file a lawsuit against your employer.
Call Us Today to Speak with a Michigan Employment Discrimination Lawyer
A seasoned employment attorney at Just Right Law can assist you with navigating your legal challenges and represent your best interests from beginning to end. Having a lawyer on your side can help ensure you get the fair result you deserve. Contact our firm today to discuss your case.