As an employee in Michigan, you have certain rights that are protected by law. If you have been treated unfairly or wrongfully terminated, it is important to speak with an employment lawyer who can help protect your rights. At Great Lakes Legal Group, our attorneys are dedicated to helping employees understand their legal rights and options. In this blog post, we will discuss four of the most important rights that employees in Michigan enjoy.
Protection Against Discrimination and Compensation Equality
Michigan law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, height, weight, marital status, or disability. This means that employers cannot fire you, refuse to hire you, or treat you differently because of any of these protected characteristics.
Compensation equality implies that people who do the same task and must have comparable skills and experience to do it should be compensated equally. This includes your base salary as well as bonuses, overtime pay, equity, and any other type of remuneration you may receive from your employer. This has been a prevalent issue in many nations, with women and members of marginalized groups typically earning less than their male counterparts performing the same function.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against by your employer, it is important to speak with an employment lawyer right away.
Protection Against Retaliation
Michigan law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who exercise their legal rights. This means that employers cannot fire you, refuse to hire you, or treat you differently because you filed a complaint, testified in court, or otherwise participated in a legal proceeding. Furthermore, employers cannot retaliate against employees who exercise their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).
Family Medical Leave
Under Michigan law, employees are entitled to take unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, or for their own serious health condition. This leave is known as Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
Employees who qualify for FMLA can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year. This leave can be used for a variety of purposes, including caring for a new child, caring for an ill family member, or recovering from a serious illness.
If you need to take FMLA leave, it is important to speak with your employer ahead of time. Your employer cannot deny you leave or retaliate against you for taking FMLA leave.
You Must Be Notified of a Background Check
Employers in Michigan are required to notify employees in writing if they will be subject to a background check. This notice must include the name of the company conducting the background check, the type of information that will be obtained, and a statement informing the employee of their right to review the information and challenge its accuracy.
If you are subject to a background check, it is important to review the information that is obtained and challenge any inaccurate information.
If you have been treated unfairly or wrongfully terminated by your employer, it is important to speak with an employment lawyer who can help protect your rights. At Great Lakes Legal Group, our attorneys are dedicated to helping employees understand their legal rights and options. We offer free consultations to employees in Michigan. To schedule a consultation, please contact us today.
If you have any other questions about your rights as an employee in Michigan, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help.