Detroit Employment Law Blog

If your employment is terminated, you shouldn't delay in reviewing your employment contract and your employee handbook. This will give you a better idea of what to expect in regards to obtaining your final pay and any fringe benefits that are due to you.

In the state of Michigan, employers are required to pay fringe benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the employment contract and/or employee handbook.

When you are on the job in Michigan, you are entitled to certain protections under state law. One of those laws is the Michigan Whistleblowers' Protection Act.

Under the act, it is unlawful for a Michigan employer to fire, threaten or discriminate against you, as an employee, because you reported or voiced your intention to report to a public agency what you considered to be a violation of federal, state or local laws or regulations. That means an employer can't fire you or change your pay, work terms or conditions, job location or privileges. You also cannot be disciplined for refusing to engage in an activity at the workplace that you know is illegal.

It took you a long time to move your way up the company ladder, eventually becoming an executive. Just when you think everything is going as planned, you could come to find that your employer is terminating your employment.

If you're faced with this situation, here are several important questions to ask:

• Do you have an employment contract? If so, review it from start to finish several times. Take notes regarding anything you need to do as you move toward your final days of employment.
• Were you wrongfully terminated? There are many reasons for this, such as if your employer is retaliating for blowing the whistle on an illegal activity.
• When will you receive your final paycheck? Discuss this with your employer, as you want to know when the money will arrive.
• Are you entitled to severance pay? Many high-level executives have a severance package written into their contract. If you're due severance pay, don't let your employer off the hook. They may attempt to fight you on this, such as by stating you took part in behavior that disqualifies you.
• What does your personnel file say? Don't hesitate to ask the human resources department for a copy of your file. This gives you the opportunity to read past performance reviews, while also getting a better idea of the reason for your termination.

Although workplace discrimination is against the law, Michigan victims often feel that there aren't enough protections against discriminatory behaviors. In fact, many of these people feel twice victimized -- once because of the discrimination and then again when they attempted to find a solution. Unfortunately, it is up to victims to prove that workplace discrimination has made their job environment unbearable.

On the bright side, help is readily available, meaning that you do not have to be alone when seeking a legal remedy. An employment attorney is an invaluable source of knowledgeable legal guidance and advocacy during a difficult time. Working with a lawyer can also improve your odds of achieving a satisfactory outcome. You can do your part to prove your workplace discrimination claim with the following tips.