Don’t Quit Your Job Until You’ve Spoken With A Lawyer

There are many times when an employee senses that something is going wrong at work – or that an employer is up to no good. From being left out of important internal communications to having responsibilities mysteriously reassigned, workers and high-ranking executives should be aware of these red flags, which may indicate that something is amiss. The employment law attorneys at Sterling Employment Law can help employees avoid trouble through effective pretermination counseling.

Employers have legal counsel to protect themselves in a termination. Employees deserve equal protection of their rights. Before you lose your job – or quit – contact us and defend yourself.

Common Signs Of Negative Employment Actions

Big companies have teams of lawyers guiding supervisors, managers and human resources staff on how to terminate an employee, often by “papering” an employee’s file to support their claims. Our attorneys will act as your legal counsel, strategically guiding you on how to fend off the claims your employer may be using to justify your termination.

Signs that negative employment action may be imminent include such behaviors as:

• You are no longer invited to essential meetings.
• You are left out of important phone conversations.
• You don’t get a raise that you should have received.
• Your key, longtime customers are reassigned to younger employees.
• Your expense accounts – never questioned before – are rejected.

If you believe you might be terminated due to discrimination, for being a whistleblower or for some other protected reason, don’t take it without a fight. Protect yourself by talking with our pretermination counseling attorneys before you are fired and your employer gets the upper hand. We will sit down with you in a strategic meeting to discuss ways to counter your employer’s actions and help fight the charges against you. In the past, we have saved people from unjust dismissals, but if we cannot save your job, we can work to protect your best interests through negotiation or a lawsuit if necessary.

The Role Of Employment Agreements And Employee Handbooks In Pretermination Counseling

Understanding your employment agreements and employee handbook provisions is critical when facing termination. A pretermination counseling lawyer in Detroit can review these documents to identify protections you may not realize exist. They can evaluate whether your employer is following its own stated procedures.

Employment agreements define the legal framework governing your relationship with your employer. These contracts often specify termination terms, including the required notice periods before dismissal, severance pay amounts based on tenure or position, grounds justifying termination for cause versus without cause and procedures employers must follow before ending employment. When employers deviate from contractually mandated processes, they expose themselves to breach of contract claims that employment attorneys can pursue on your behalf.

Employee handbooks outline company policies on discipline, performance improvement plans and termination procedures. Many handbooks establish progressive discipline systems requiring verbal warnings, written warnings and performance improvement plans (PIPs) before termination. If your employer skips these steps or fails to document deficiencies, you may have grounds to challenge dismissal. Handbooks frequently contain antidiscrimination policies and complaint procedures relevant to Title VII.

However, not all employment agreement provisions are enforceable. Noncompete agreements restricting where you can work after leaving employment face increasing judicial scrutiny. Michigan courts analyze whether these clauses protect legitimate business interests, impose reasonable geographic and time restrictions and avoid undue hardship on employees. Overly broad noncompete provisions may be unenforceable, allowing you greater career flexibility than your employer claims.

Trade secret protection represents another common employment agreement concern. Employers legitimately protect confidential business information, customer lists and proprietary processes. However, the general skills and knowledge you developed during employment remain yours. Employment attorneys distinguish between protectable trade secrets and nonconfidential information, ensuring restrictive covenants do not improperly limit your ability to earn a living.

The labor and employment law section recognizes that reviewing these documents requires legal training most employees lack. Provisions buried in dense contract language or handbook sections can affect your rights. Our pretermination counseling lawyers examine your specific agreements and handbook policies. They explain how policies apply to your situation. We provide strategic guidance, protecting your interests before termination occurs.

Early consultation allows us to document violations, preserve evidence and position you favorably for settlement negotiations or potential litigation if dismissal proceeds despite contractual protections.

Discuss Your Situation With One Of Our Lawyers

Our Detroit-based attorneys can provide pretermination counseling to individuals throughout Michigan. Call 248-633-8916 to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your situation.