You showed up early. Stayed late. Hit your goals. Helped your team. You did everything right—only to be passed over, harassed, or fired. Why? Because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, or simply for speaking up.

That’s not just unfair—it’s illegal.

The emotional toll of workplace discrimination is heavy. It makes you question your worth, your voice, your future. You start feeling powerless, isolated, and silenced—as if the very place you’ve poured your energy into has turned against you.

And the truth is, it’s happening every day. Across Michigan, good people are being mistreated on the job—whether it’s a Black nurse denied promotion, a female engineer harassed by supervisors, or a whistleblower fired for reporting discrimination. These aren’t isolated events. They’re symptoms of a deeper problem.

What Is Employment Discrimination in Michigan?

Employment discrimination happens when you're treated unfairly at work—not because of your performance, but because of who you are. It’s when your race, gender, age, disability, or identity becomes a barrier to fair treatment, equal pay, promotion, or job security.

This isn’t just unethical. It’s illegal.

Under both federal and Michigan law, workers are protected from discrimination at all stages of employment—hiring, pay, job duties, promotion, discipline, and termination.

Protected Categories Under the Law

You may have a case if you were mistreated because of:

• Race – Including racial slurs, biased discipline, or being passed over for promotion.
• Gender/Sex – Including pregnancy discrimination, gender-based pay gaps, or sexual harassment.
• Age – Especially if you’re over 40 and being pushed out or replaced by younger workers.
• Disability – Denial of reasonable accommodations or being treated as “less capable.”
• Religion – Disrespecting religious attire or practices, or retaliating for requesting accommodations.
• Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity – Harassment, deadnaming, or denial of equal opportunities.
• National Origin – Discrimination based on your accent, birthplace, or immigration status.

Laws That Protect You

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Federal) – Covers race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
• Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (Michigan) – Offers broader protections, including for sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy.

Together, these laws are meant to create a level playing field—but only if someone’s willing to stand up and demand accountability.

Common Ways Discrimination Shows Up at Work

Workplace discrimination doesn’t always look like a smoking gun—it’s often quieter, systemic, and easy to brush off if you're not paying attention. But for the person experiencing it? It’s unmistakable, isolating, and devastating.

Here are the most common ways discrimination plays out in Michigan workplaces:

Hiring Bias or Promotion Denial

You have the qualifications. You’ve put in the work. But time and time again, you’re passed over for opportunities—while less qualified colleagues with the “right look” or background move up the ladder.

Real-life example: A Black woman in a corporate office watches three white male coworkers get promoted in a year while she’s told to “be patient”—despite better performance reviews.

Unequal Pay or Job Assignments

Two people doing the same job should be paid the same. But often, marginalized employees are paid less, given less desirable shifts, or assigned grunt work with no path forward.

Real-life example: A pregnant worker is shifted to part-time “for her health,” cutting her income and benefits without her consent.

Harassment (Verbal, Sexual, Racial)

Slurs, inappropriate jokes, “locker room” talk, or targeting someone for how they look, speak, or love—this isn’t “just joking.” It’s harassment, and it’s illegal.

Real-life example: A gay employee is mocked with slurs by coworkers—and HR looks the other way.

Retaliation After Complaints or Whistleblowing

You report racism. You speak up about a sexist manager. Suddenly your performance is “under review,” or you’re moved to a dead-end role. That’s retaliation—and it’s one of the most common forms of workplace injustice.

Real-life example: A warehouse employee reports a supervisor using racial slurs and gets written up for “insubordination” two days later.

Wrongful Termination

Sometimes discrimination ends with the ultimate punishment: you’re fired. Employers rarely say it outright—they’ll mask it as “restructuring” or “performance issues.” But if the timeline tells the truth, so can your legal case.

Real-life example: A woman reports sexual harassment to HR and is laid off a week later “due to budget cuts.”

Your Rights Under the Law

You have rights. You’re not powerless. And when discrimination shows up at work, the law is on your side—if you know how to use it.

Both federal and Michigan law provide legal shields against workplace injustice. These aren't just symbolic. They give you real tools to demand accountability, protect your job, and secure compensation when you've been wronged.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Federal Law)

Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in any aspect of employment—including hiring, firing, pay, promotion, and harassment.

It also protects workers who face retaliation for reporting discrimination or participating in an investigation.

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (Michigan Law)

Michigan goes even further. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act includes everything Title VII does and adds protections for:

• Age (especially if you're 40 or older)
• Pregnancy
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Marital status

That means even if your case doesn’t qualify under federal law, you may still have a powerful claim under Michigan law—and we know how to use both.

What You Can Do When Your Rights Are Violated

• File an internal complaint: Go through HR if your workplace has a reporting system—but keep a copy of everything.
• File a charge with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission): This is often the first step before filing a federal lawsuit.
• File a complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR): A state-level route to justice under Michigan law.
• Pursue a civil lawsuit: With the right evidence and legal team, you can sue for damages, lost wages, emotional distress, and more.

What to Do If You Suspect Discrimination

Document Everything

• Save emails, texts, Slack messages, or anything that shows unfair treatment or bias.
• Keep performance reviews, write-ups, or job postings that show double standards.
• Write down dates, names, and specific incidents while they’re still fresh.
• Identify witnesses who may have seen or heard what happened.

💡 Tip: Keep this documentation on a personal device—not your work computer.

File Internal Complaints—But Stay Smart

If your company has an HR department or reporting process, use it—but don’t assume HR is on your side. Their job is to protect the company.

• Be clear, factual, and professional.
• Submit complaints in writing, and keep copies.
• Don’t let internal reports stop you from exploring legal action. Filing internally does not cancel your right to sue.

Don’t Sign Anything Under Pressure

If you’re offered a severance agreement, warning letter, or anything with legal language—do not sign it without legal review.

These documents often include waivers that can destroy your ability to sue later. What looks like a payout could be a trap.

Contact an Employment Discrimination Lawyer Early

Don’t wait until it’s too late. An experienced lawyer can:

• Spot patterns of illegal behavior
• Protect you from retaliation
• Handle communications with HR and outside agencies
• Build a case while evidence is still fresh

At Marko Law, we step in early, build your strategy, and help you take control before things spiral.

Your Voice Matters—And You Have Power

You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to tolerate disrespect, discrimination, or retaliation at work. Whether you're dealing with harassment, being passed over for promotion, or facing wrongful termination, know this: you have rights—and you have power.

Discrimination isn’t just morally wrong—it’s illegal. And when your employer crosses the line, you have every right to push back.

At Marko Law, we don’t just talk about justice—we fight for it. From factories in Flint to hospitals in Detroit, we’ve stood up for Michigan workers who were mistreated, silenced, or fired for who they are or what they believe.

Every worker deserves dignity, fairness, and a chance to thrive. And if your job has become a battlefield, we’re here to help you take it back.

Speak Up. We’ll Stand With You.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
📞 Phone: 1-833-MARKO-LAW or+13137777777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com