Labor Law Attorneys

If you think that you've experienced unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace, you don't have to remain silent. We are here to help. At Marko Law, our Detroit employment law and labor lawyers have a long, well-established reputation as one of Michigan's toughest defenders of working people and their rights. Our attorneys are responsible for millions of dollars of settlements and verdicts against employers throughout Michigan.

‍Defending Michigan Employees' Rights

‍Our Detroit employment law attorneys are prepared to effectively negotiate and litigate compensation for the losses caused by unlawful employment practices. With many years of experience standing up for worker rights, we understand how to identify wrongdoing, gather documents and information, and put the law on your side. We represent workers and employees in the following kinds of employment-related legal matters:

‍Discrimination

‍Federal and Michigan laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of their age, gender, race, religion, disability or national origin. We litigate discrimination claims in court and help with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights process. We pursue justice for working men and women that were fired, refused a promotion, not hired, or otherwise treated unjustly due to their race, age, gender, disability, religion, or ethnicity.

‍Sex discrimination

‍We defend employees who were discriminated against in the workplace because of their gender. Sexual discrimination can include unwanted sexual advances, demands for sexual favors in exchange for employment, retaliation against an employee who rejects sexual advances, or the existence of a hostile work environment that a practical person would find intimidating, offensive, or abusive. Sex discrimination can also include an employer who takes any adverse employment action against a woman simply because she is pregnant.

‍Minimum wage

‍American employees went nearly a decade before the last increase in the minimum wage. Unfortunately, a lot of employers continue to avoid even paying this the bare minimum to their workers. Other employers may improperly categorize their employees as independent contractors or as tipped workers to be paid by the job or to be paid less than the normal minimum wage. Still other employers promise earnings that surpass the minimum wage or other benefits, but then, after an employee has already worked their shift, neglect to fulfill their end of the bargain. If you are working for such an employer, you have rights.

‍Overtime pay

‍Besides exempt salaried employees, workers that work more than 40 hours a week are entitled to overtime pay at time-and-a-half. Some employers will make employees do work before they punch in or do tasks after they have clocked out. Others will try to avoid paying overtime to workers by misclassifying them as exempt employees. Whether you are an exempt or nonexempt employee is based upon your work responsibilities. It is not based on your title or the employer's choice to pay you on a salary basis or hourly basis.

‍Harassment

‍Not all types of harassment are illegal. However, if you are being harassed because of your sex, age, race, religion, disability, or membership in another protected class, call our law office to review your options for stopping this illegal workplace harassment.

‍Wrongful discharge

‍The majority of employees can be fired for any reason or no reason by their employer unless they are represented by a union. However, if you have an employment contract, you might be able to sue for breach of contract if you were fired without good reason. If you were fired or terminated because of your age, race, gender, national origin, height, weight, marital status, disability, or religion, you might also have a claim for wrongful discharge. Lastly, firing an employee is illegal if it is done in retaliation for opposing unlawful discrimination or harassment, filing a workers' compensation claim, requesting FMLA, making a safety complaint in the workplace, reporting wrongdoing as a whistleblower to the government, or filing a claim for harassment.

‍Whistleblower claims

‍Under Michigan's Whistleblowers' Protection Act, it is illegal for an employer to terminate, threaten or otherwise discriminate against an employee for reporting misconduct, fraud or other violations of the law or regulations. Federal law also gives similar protection to whistleblowers in particular circumstances.

‍Family and Medical Leave Act

‍The FMLA enables most employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical or pregnancy leave. Also, employees who need to take a leave of absence to look after their father, mother, partner, or child that is suffering from a major health problem, might be eligible and qualified to get unpaid leave too. This leave can either be continuous-- for a period of time-- or periodic-- where leave is more broken up or where a worker needs a reduced schedule. We advise and represent employees and unions in disputes over family medical leave, including employees who were fired or retaliated against for taking an FMLA leave.

‍OSHA/MIOSHA

‍Now more than ever, with the effect of a global pandemic on the workplace, your safety may be at risk. If you believe that you are being required to work in an unsafe work environment, you have the right to file a complaint with the government.

‍Contact Us Today to Get a Free Consultation

‍If you are ready to start your case or need more information about Labor Law in Detroit, Michigan, contact Marko Law Firm today. Let us represent you as you seek justice and compensation for your pain and damages. Call (313) 777-7LAW today to get a free consultation or visit our website: MarkoLaw.com to get more information.