Detroit Employment Law Blog

Whistleblower cases are sometimes extremely complex. The ones who choose to take a stand against corruption or cooperate in a corruption investigation often experience retaliation in many forms. In some cases, such retaliation occurs in the whistleblower's workplace. Other times, it occurs in more insidious ways that affect a participant's lifestyle and business.

According to a Detroit news source, a towing operator in Michigan has filed a retaliation lawsuit against the Michigan State Police (MSP). He claims that the MSP is retaliating against his business because he is cooperating with a whistleblower investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

If you believe that workers should always receive equal pay for the same work regardless of gender, age or other factors, you are not alone. The outcry against these forms of workplace discrimination is extremely loud, yet it seems like no one is listening.

In Michigan, women continue to make up a large portion of those suffering from wage disparity even though awareness about the issue is widespread. Below are some facts about the state's wage gap.

• In 2017, full-time women workers in the state earned only 79 cents for every dollar male employees earned for the same work.
• In 2016, Latina female workers experienced the largest wage gap, earning only about 58 cents for every dollar earned by white male workers.
• Also in 2016, African American women earned approximately 63 cents for every dollar male employees earned.
• Women comprise about two-thirds of the minimum wage workforce in Michigan.
• Estimates indicate that female workers in the state will lose about $442,000 throughout their lifetimes because of the gender wage gap.
• Women who also earn tips only receive about $3.52 per hour in wages before adding in their tips.

Used properly, a performance improvement plan (PIP) can be a powerful tool. Used improperly, PIPs can be costly and destructive.

There’s a perception in the sales world that PIPs are the first step toward firing an employee. Like many perceptions, it’s partly based on reality because some employers use PIPs for that purpose.

There usually comes a time in the career of successful first-time executives when they realize they give more than they receive. When executives take on their first term as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or another C-level position, their employment contracts probably reflect their relative inexperience. Now that they have achieved success and helped the company thrive, they may wish to renegotiate the terms of their employment.

Although it feels risky to "rock the boat," renegotiating employment contracts after a period of success is a common practice. The governing board may even expect it if the executive has led the company into an era of significant prosperity. If this scenario resembles your own experience, you may wish to renegotiate but remain hesitant to take the first steps.