Not only do violations of employment law create tense work environments, they can put a person's livelihood and business on the line.

An employment dispute can easily become one of the most stressful times in a person's career.

If you experienced a potentially unlawful situation on the job, it should not be ignored. You have rights at work that are not negotiable. The employment attorneys at Sommers Schwartz are among Michigan's best and are proud to defend Detroit's workers in all matters of employment law.

Fact

49 percent

of claims filed between 1997 and 2018 were for retaliation

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We represent employees who have had their rights violated by employers, whether it be due to illegal discrimination, a violation of wage and hour laws, or a denial of another workplace right. There is no need to take on these overwhelming and intimidating tasks on your own.

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Types of Employment Violations

Employment law covers a lot of ground. Thankfully, the employment attorneys at Sommers Schwartz have a wealth of experience and knowledge in all types of employment disputes, from years on the front lines fighting on behalf of both employers and employees. We handle cases related to:

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Discrimination

Both state and federal laws protect workers from being discriminated against on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, disability, pregnancy, or national origin. Discrimination can be many things, but amounts unfair treatment based on one of these protected statuses. This can include being fired, denied a promotion, job, raise, or another benefit, or any other adverse employment action.

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Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is another common form of discrimination that takes many forms. Sexual harassment can be a demand for sex in exchange for a job or other benefit or sex-based behaviors that create a hostile work environment. Men and women can be sexually harassed at work.

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Wage Disputes

Some of the more unscrupulous employers will try anything to get out of paying employees fair wages. This could be by denying minimum wage, which is currently $9.45 in Michigan, improperly classifying workers in order to pay less, or refusing to pay entitled employees overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week.

employment_retaliation

Retaliation & Whistleblower Claims

Retaliating against an employee who reports sexual harassment, fraud, misconduct or any other illegal actions is prohibited under Michigan's Whistleblower's Protection Act and federal law. Being fired, demoted, denied a raise or promotion or another adverse employment action after an employee has reported something could be considered retaliation.

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Breach of Contract

When an employer violates the terms of an employment contract, the consequences can be significant, damaging both the employee and their family. These cases often benefit from legal representation with significant experience in employment law matters.

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Family Medical Leave Act

The FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a medical issue, the birth or adoption of a child, or care of a family member with a medical issue. This leave is unpaid, but employers are required to hold the worker’s job for when they return from leave and the law forbids retaliation against anyone who uses FMLA benefits.

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Other employment agreements & disputes

Sommers Schwartz also represents companies, executives, and other employers in issues related to:

  • Executive employment agreements
  • Compensation plans
  • Stock options, performance award, and commission  provisions
  • Equity acquisitions and separation agreements
  • Tax structures
  • Creative or technical IP protection and enforcement
PURSUING A CLAIM

Some workplace problems are resolved with a simple conversation. Many others are not.

Companies typically have an established complaint process to be followed when a dispute occurs. You may need to contact the Human Resources department or a supervisor and file a complaint.

EMPLOYMENT LAW ATTORNEY

When it becomes necessary to contact an employment attorney

When it is not possible for you to pursue a complaint through existing internal channels, this process does not help, or if an employer who may attempt to obscure or hide evidence of misconduct, it becomes necessary to contact an employment attorney who can help hold your employer accountable.

Speaking Out

You may be uncomfortable with speaking out against your employer or afraid of retaliation. You may be unsure of what your rights or if your employer's actions are actually illegal. An attorney can help.

Creative thinking

We understand that litigation is not always the best way to solve a dispute. We may use alternatives to going to trial, such as mediation and arbitration and strongly believe in the importance of determining when to litigate, and when to find a solution through negotiation and creative thinking.

EMPLOYMENT LAW ATTORNEY

An attorney can advise on the best possible course of action

An attorney can also help collect the necessary evidence to prove your case, accompany you to meetings, negotiations and other appointments, and stand with you to face your employer. There is no need to take on these overwhelming and intimidating tasks on your own.

The Stakes are High

Employment disputes can put your career, livelihood, business, and ability to provide for yourself and your family at risk. Those are losses no one can afford to take.

When you have been harmed by an employer’s misconduct, you could be entitled to lost wages both past and future, damages for emotional distress and other harm, and restoration of your job. Employers found to have violated a worker’s rights could be responsible for those damages as well as punitive damages in serious cases of misconduct.

Respected by clients and colleagues

EMPLOYMENT LAW ATTORNEYS

Employment Law Resources

Sommers Schwartz is committed to representing both employees and employers in employment-related disputes. There aren't many law firms that do that.

Employment Law Links

We know your legal rights, and we will protect them as if we were fighting for our own families.

Attorney Referrals

Sommers Schwartz welcomes referrals from attorneys throughout the United States.

When you need to refer a matter to experienced lawyers with proven results, your search begins and ends here.

100% referral fee payment record

Over $60 million in referral fees paid in the last decade alone

Contact an Accomplished Detroit Employment Attorney

To speak with a Sommers Schwartz attorney about your case and determine how to best move forward, call 866.614.4247 for a free consultation.

The Detroit employment lawyers of Sommers Schwartz are well respected by clients and colleagues alike. In fact, they frequently provide counsel to other law firms when they themselves experience employment disputes.

A Sommers Schwartz attorney will be able to investigate your claim, gather evidence, and craft a strong case in your defense.