Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990, both private-sector and public-sector workers have broadly enjoyed the right to apply for employment, work and navigate the termination process free from discrimination based on their...
Workplace Discrimination
Is an “English only” workplace policy legal?
National origin is one of the categories that’s protected against employment discrimination under both federal law and Michigan law. That means it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or applicants on that basis. It’s important for employees to...
Are performance improvement plans used to hide discrimination?
You’ve been in your position for a while, and you’ve always prided yourself on doing a good job. Up until recently, it seemed like your employers valued you – if your old performance reviews are any indication. Recently, however, something has changed, and you think...
Can compliments be discrimination or harassment?
It’s very clear that insults or derogatory comments can be a form of discrimination or harassment. If a male worker says that his female coworkers are too emotional to be promoted to executive positions, for instance, this is just sexual or gender-based...
Subtle signs of religious discrimination at work
Religious discrimination at work can take many forms, and often it can be subtle and hard to detect. However, it is essential to be aware of the signs of discrimination in order to address it and create a more inclusive and respectful workplace. Here are some subtle...
When is employment termination unlawful?
Sometimes, the words “fired” and “terminated” are used interchangeably. But, in the context of employment law, “termination” doesn’t just mean “fired.” An employee can be terminated by being fired, but they can also be terminated via layoff or buyout. As a result,...
What is a glass ceiling?
You may have heard people talk about breaking the glass ceiling. This is a term they will often use in reference to their careers and what they’re trying to accomplish, but you may not be sure exactly what they mean. The truth is that the glass ceiling is a metaphor,...
Drug testing and marijuana: What employees should know
In states where marijuana use is legal for recreational and medical purposes, including Michigan, employers who test applicants as well as employees for drug use are making individual decisions about whether to continue testing for this drug. Unlike many drugs, traces...
Be wary of discrimination if your company changes hands
You may have taken the job at your current company without any worries about discrimination. You could tell from the moment that you came in and were hired that this wasn’t the type of place where that happened. The boss clearly was willing to give everyone an equal...
You should not face disability discrimination at work
While being an at-will employee tends to be interpreted as an employer can fire you for any reason, that’s an inaccurate assumption. There are many reasons why an employer cannot fire an employee, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prevents...