Detroit Employment Law Blog

Diversity became an important term about 20 years ago when Michigan and many other states wanted to create a new workplace culture without the old practices that kept good workers on the outside looking in. But, in many ways, it was downgraded to a buzzword that guided some trainings and policies without helping the people who needed it.

Now, some business leaders are encouraging others to consider inclusion, or bringing in more of the diverse elements that give the Wolverine State a strong workforce and a tradition of progress. Part of this effort is defining diversity and inclusion as useful terms for employers and employees alike.

When you're presented with an employment contract, it's your job to thoroughly review it to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions. You should only sign it if you're 100 percent comfortable with the details, and fully understand the impact on your potential employment.

While you hope you understand everything, there's a chance you'll have some questions or concerns. Here are some of the points you may need to discuss with HR before signing:

• Pay schedule: If it's not outlined in your employment contract, ask about the pay schedule, which includes how often you're paid and the manner in which you receive your money.
• Benefits: Even if all your benefits are outlined in the employment contract, you may still have questions about some or all of them. For example, it's not good enough to know that the company provides you with health insurance. You need to understand the details of the policy, as this will impact your finances and potentially your health.
• Reasons for termination: It's awkward to ask about this, but it's better than signing an employment contract you don't understand. If you're unsure of why your employment can be terminated, ask for clarification.

For much of the history of Michigan, workers could be scared into silence about problems at work. No one wants to lose their job as a sacrifice for reporting unsafe conditions, unfair supervisors or employee harassment. Fortunately, the governments in Washington and Lansing have made it a little easier for whistleblowers to avoid retaliation.

A recent lawsuit against a county in the Wolverine State wrapped up with a settlement for two employees who claimed they were dismissed unfairly. The dispute began in 2017 when the man and woman were fired from the county clerk's office.

If you are one of the many Detroit area workers who are not protected by a union, you more than likely are an at-will employee. You may not even realize you are an at-will employee though. Only employees who have signed a specific employment contract (often upper management or union members) are not at-will employees. This means that as an at-will employee, your employment can be terminated at any time, for nearly any reason.