Articles

Legal Protections At Work For Pregnant Employees In Michigan

Federal and Michigan state law provide protections against job discrimination based on pregnancy. It is decidedly illegal for a Michigan employer to discriminate against an employee or job applicant based on pregnancy. Federal and state civil rights laws provide the safety net, but the application of these employment discrimination laws as well as the rather strict procedures claimants must follow to enforce them are complex.

Muslim American Secures $1.1 Million In Religious Discrimination Suit

A Detroit jury has awarded one of the largest employment discrimination verdicts in a federal case involving a Muslim American. The victim came to Michigan from Tunisia and became a naturalized citizen. The hope was to secure a better life in the United States. Unfortunately, after 17 years of employment in America, he was fired from his job as a maintenance worker.

Will AMA Decision Give More Protection To Obese Workers?

It is nearly impossible to read the news these days and not see an article relating to the growing problem of obesity in America. Whatever the cause – be it genetics, lifestyle or limited access to healthy foots – there is no question that being significantly overweight contributes to a significant number of short- and long-term health consequences.

New Michigan Law Protects Employees’ Internet Privacy Rights

For many people, social media and email are vital ways of gathering new information and connecting with friends and family. For good reason, most workers want to keep their online activities private from their employers. Just as they wouldn’t want their bosses showing up unannounced to happy hour or reading a letter from their mother, they don’t want their employers to have unfettered access to their Facebook, Twitter or email accounts, either.

Former State Attorney General Sues Law Schools For Age Discrimination

In the summer of 2011, former North Dakota Attorney General Nicholas Spaeth filed a dramatic age discrimination suit against six U.S. law schools, including Michigan State University College of Law. Spaeth alleged that the schools passed over his applications for employment, instead hiring younger, less qualified candidates as law professors in violation of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, known as the ADEA.

The Family Medical Leave Act: Know Your Rights

The Family Medical Leave Act became law in 1993 and offers employees job-protected time off for certain qualifying medical reasons. The law provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month window. The 12 weeks allowed by the FMLA do not necessarily have to be taken consecutively, although that is permitted. An employee is also free to take medical leave intermittently or by reducing the number of hours worked per week.