Practice Areas

Cases We Handle

Your job is a core component of your life, and when you have a dispute with your employer, you deserve an attorney who will aggressively fight for your rights and fair treatment. At Fagan McManus, P.C., our Royal Oak based employment law attorneys have over 25 years of experience representing workers throughout Michigan. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss employment law cases involving the following:

Family And Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Disputes

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a year without losing their job or health insurance. Workers can use this time to recover from surgery, care for a sick parent, spouse, or child, handle complications from pregnancy, or spend time with a newborn child. The law applies to all public agencies and private employers with 50 or more workers, but not every employee qualifies. You must have worked for the employer for one year and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months to be covered.

Even though the FMLA provides important protections, employers don’t always follow the rules. Some refuse to approve time off for a valid reason, while others pressure workers to return too soon. Some employers even retaliate against employees by cutting their hours, reducing their pay, or demoting or firing them. These actions are illegal, but proving an FMLA violation isn’t always easy. Employers may claim a worker didn’t meet the requirements to take leave or that their time off hurt the business’s operations.

If you believe your employer violated your FMLA rights, Fagan McManus, P.C. can help. We can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor or take legal action against your employer in court. We can also demand back pay, reinstatement, or compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.

Workplace Discrimination Claims

No matter your job or who you work for, you have the right to a discrimination-free workplace. According to state and federal law, employers cannot refuse to hire you, deny you a promotion, cut your pay, or fire you because of your sex, race, national origin, religion, disability, or age. Similarly, your employer cannot create a hostile work environment or retaliate against you for reporting discrimination.

Unfortunately, many companies ignore anti-discrimination laws. For example, your employer might have passed you over for a job because of your race or denied you opportunities because of your age. Similarly, some employers may refuse to provide reasonable accommodations for a disability or treat you differently after learning about your pregnancy. Some workplaces tolerate harassment, slurs, or offensive jokes, making it impossible to feel safe at work.

At Fagan McManus, P.C., we proudly fight for workers who have faced discrimination at their jobs. We can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to hold your employer accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

Sexual Harassment Claims

Sexual harassment at work happens when someone is subjected to unwelcome behavior based on their sex, including inappropriate comments, repeated advances, offensive jokes, or even threats related to employment status. It can come from a supervisor, coworker, client, or customer. No one should have to endure this mistreatment, and state and federal laws protect you from it.

At Fagan McManus, P.C., we understand how intimidating it can be to take action when you’re facing sexual harassment at work. Many workers fear retaliation, such as being fired, demoted, or treated unfairly. Others worry their complaints will be ignored or dismissed. That’s where we step in.

If you’re experiencing sexual harassment, we can guide you through the legal process. First, we can help you document incidents, gather witness statements, and collect any emails, messages, or recordings that support your claim. We can also assist you with filing a formal complaint with your employer and, if necessary, with the EEOC or Michigan’s civil rights agency. If your employer retaliates or won’t act to prevent the harassment, we are prepared to negotiate a settlement or take your case to court.

Severance Agreement Negotiations

A severance agreement is a contract an employer may offer when you leave a job. It usually includes a lump-sum payment or continued benefits in exchange for your agreement not to sue, discuss company matters, or work for a competitor. While these agreements may seem straightforward, they often contain legal terms that could limit your future opportunities or rights.

At Fagan McManus, P.C., we can make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing before accepting a severance agreement. Some of these agreements include unfair terms, like overly broad non-compete clauses, restrictions on speaking about your experience, or waivers of legal claims. Employers may also offer less money than you qualify for as part of the agreement.

Before you sign anything, we can review the agreement line by line and explain what it means in plain terms. If the offer is unfair, we can negotiate on your behalf for better terms, such as a higher payout, continued health benefits, or the removal of harmful clauses. If your employer pressures you to sign quickly, we can make sure you have the time and information you need to make an informed choice.

Wage And Hour Disputes

You work hard for your paycheck, and you deserve to be paid fairly. Unfortunately, many employers break wage and hour laws – sometimes by mistake, sometimes on purpose. Common wage and hour disputes include unpaid overtime, being misclassified as an independent contractor, wage theft, being denied meal or rest breaks, and being forced to work off the clock.

If your employer isn’t paying you what you’ve earned, you have the right to take action. We know that standing up to an employer can feel overwhelming, as many workers fear retaliation if they speak up about these issues. Others struggle to prove their claims because their employer controls the records.

These challenges can make it tough to fight for fair pay, but you don’t have to do it alone. We can investigate your claim, review pay records, and gather evidence to prove your employer is violating wage laws. If your employer refuses to cooperate, we can file a complaint with the Department of Labor or take legal action to recover your unpaid wages.

Retaliation Claims

Workplace retaliation happens when an employer punishes you for standing up for your rights. This could mean firing you, cutting your hours, demoting you, giving you unfair discipline, or creating a hostile work environment after you report discrimination, harassment, wage violations, or other illegal practices.

Retaliation is against the law, and you don’t have to put up with it. Your employer may claim your termination or demotion was based on performance, even if that’s not true. They might also try to intimidate you into staying silent.

That’s where we come in. We can help you gather evidence – such as emails, performance reviews, and witness statements – to prove the retaliation happened. We can also file complaints with the EEOC or state agencies and, if needed, take your employer to court. If you’ve already lost your job, we can fight to get your position back or negotiate a fair settlement.

Contact Our Employment Law Attorneys Serving the Detroit Metro Area

If you’re facing harassment, discrimination, or other unlawful treatment at your job, Fagan McManus, P.C. can enforce your rights and help you find a positive outcome to your issue. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

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