Understanding civil rights laws in Michigan is essential for protecting individuals' rights across various aspects of public life, including employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) and complementary legislation provide comprehensive protections against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all residents.
Civil rights laws serve as the backbone of American democracy, ensuring that all individuals enjoy equal protection under the law, free from discrimination and prejudice. These laws safeguard fundamental freedoms and ensure that individuals' rights are protected in various aspects of public life, regardless of race, religion, gender, or other characteristics that might otherwise lead to unfair treatment.
Enacted in 1976, the ELCRA is a critical piece of legislation that prohibits discriminatory practices in a variety of settings including employment, housing, education, and public services. The act is significant because it reflects Michigan's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive without fear of discrimination. ELCRA is comprehensive in scope, covering several key areas of daily life, thereby playing an essential role in shaping an equitable society.
The strength of ELCRA lies in its detailed enumeration of protected classes. These classes include:
- Race: Protection against discrimination based on race ensures that individuals of all racial backgrounds have equal opportunities.
- Religion: Individuals are free to practice their religion without facing discrimination in various societal sectors.
- Age: Protects older individuals from being unfairly denied employment or services based on their age.
- Sex: Includes protections against discrimination based on gender, and extends to pregnancy and conditions related to pregnancy.
- National Origin: Ensures that individuals, regardless of where they were born or from where they originate, are treated equally under the law.
- Other categories: Including marital status, familial status, and others, ensuring a broad spectrum of protection.
Complementing the ELCRA is the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, which specifically addresses the rights of individuals with disabilities. This act prohibits discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public services against persons with disabilities. It also mandates reasonable accommodations in employment and public facilities, underscoring Michigan’s dedication to accessibility and inclusivity for all its residents.
Under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), Michigan provides comprehensive protections against employment discrimination. This act makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, height, weight, marital status, or familial status in any aspect of employment, including:
- Hiring and Firing: Decisions about who to hire or terminate must not be influenced by any of the protected characteristics.
- Compensation and Benefits: All employees should have equal access to compensation and benefits opportunities without discrimination.
- Promotion, Transfer, and Assignments: Decisions about promotions, transfers, or job assignments cannot be based on discriminatory reasons.
- Working Environment: The law also addresses issues like harassment in the workplace, ensuring a safe and respectful working environment for all.
- Fair Hiring Practices: Job advertisements, interview questions, and hiring decisions should be free from bias. Employers must ensure that employment criteria are essential for job performance and not discriminatory.
- Workplace Equality: Employees have the right to equal treatment in all aspects of employment. This includes access to training, resources, and professional development opportunities, irrespective of any protected characteristic.
- Reasonable Accommodations: Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, as well as for religious practices, unless doing so would cause undue hardship on the operation of the business.
- Disparate Treatment: This occurs when an employee is treated differently than others in similar situations because of a protected characteristic. For example, if an employee of a certain race is consistently given less favorable shifts or assignments, it may constitute disparate treatment.
- Disparate Impact: Policies that appear neutral but disproportionately affect employees of a protected class may be discriminatory. For example, a height requirement might disadvantage people of certain ethnicities disproportionately.
- Harassment: This includes unwanted conduct related to any of the protected characteristics that creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when tolerating such conduct becomes a condition of continued employment.
- Retaliation: It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for filing a discrimination claim, participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices.
Michigan’s fair housing laws are primarily governed by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) and supplemented by federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act. These laws make it illegal to discriminate in any aspect of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, familial status, marital status, or disability. This encompasses a wide range of housing-related activities, including:
- Advertising: Housing advertisements must not express any preference or limitation based on protected characteristics.
- Rental Applications and Screening: Landlords cannot use discriminatory criteria or practices in tenant screening or application processes.
- Terms and Conditions: Terms, conditions, privileges, and facilities associated with housing must be the same for all tenants, without any discrimination.
- Harassment: Tenants have the right to live free from harassment based on any protected characteristic.
- Equal Treatment in Housing Opportunities: Everyone has the right to be treated equally when renting, buying, or securing financing for housing, without discrimination.
- Reasonable Accommodations: Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. This might include modifications to rules, policies, or physical changes to structures, provided they do not impose undue hardship on the landlord.
- Freedom from Harassment: It is unlawful for landlords or other tenants to harass someone based on protected characteristics. This includes sexual harassment or any other form of discriminatory harassment.
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all interactions with landlords, real estate agents, or lending institutions, including emails, texts, and notes from phone calls or in-person conversations.
Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your claim of discrimination. This might include testimonials from witnesses, copies of advertisements, or written policies provided by the housing provider.
File a Complaint: You can file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). This is the state agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in Michigan. Additionally, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which handles violations of the federal Fair Housing Act.
Seek Legal Advice: Consider consulting with a legal professional who specializes in civil rights or housing law. They can provide guidance on the strength of your case and what additional steps you might need to take.
Public accommodations include a wide range of entities such as hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and service establishments like banks and healthcare facilities. Under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), it is unlawful in Michigan to discriminate based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status in the provision of public accommodations. This means that no individual should be denied service or provided inferior service based on these protected characteristics.
The legal framework in Michigan ensures that:
- Equal Access: All persons must have equal access to public facilities and services without discrimination.
- Reasonable Modifications: Providers of public accommodations are required to make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, and procedures to accommodate persons with disabilities, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the services.
- Communication: Public facilities must ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities, potentially including the provision of auxiliary aids and services (like interpreters or assistive listening devices).
Michigan law, particularly under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), prohibits discrimination in educational institutions based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, height, weight, familial status, or marital status. This encompasses a variety of educational operations, including admissions, scholarships, programs, and activities. It ensures that all students, regardless of their background or characteristics, have equal access to educational opportunities.
Students in Michigan have the right to:
- Equal Treatment: Receive the same treatment and access to educational resources and opportunities as their peers.
- Reasonable Accommodations: Obtain reasonable accommodations for disabilities, ensuring access to educational programs and activities.
- Freedom from Harassment: Learn in an environment free from harassment and bullying, which educational institutions are obligated to prevent and address.
Educational institutions in Michigan are obligated to:
- Enforce Non-Discrimination Policies: Implement and enforce clear policies against discrimination and harassment.
- Provide Training: Conduct regular training for staff and students on recognizing and preventing discrimination and harassment.
- Handle Complaints Properly: Establish and maintain a transparent process for handling complaints of discrimination, ensuring that grievances are addressed promptly and fairly.
Michigan's educational rights are not only shaped by state laws like ELCRA but also by federal laws, notably Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Here's how Michigan laws interact with federal laws like Title IX:
- Complementary Protections: While Title IX specifically addresses sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, ELCRA covers a broader spectrum of protected classes. Together, they ensure a comprehensive anti-discrimination framework.
- Enhanced Enforcement: Michigan educational institutions must comply with both state and federal laws. This dual layer of legal requirements strengthens the protections available to students.
- Broader Scope Under State Law: In some aspects, state law may offer more extensive protections than federal law. For instance, protections based on height and weight under ELCRA are not covered by Title IX.
We Will Help You!
Get in touch with a real person 24/7/365.
If you’re a law firm owner and want help optimizing your practice for success, please email jon@markolaw.com
Real stories. Real results. From personal injury recoveries to civil rights victories, our clients trust Marko Law to deliver justice when it matters most. Hear what people across Michigan are saying about their experience with our legal team.
Big shoutout to the Marko Law squad. Gasper was an absolute assassin in the best possible way, and trust me, that's a high compliment coming from me. John Eads and Gasper tag-teamed those negotiations like champs. I'll be sending clients your way for the foreseeable future.
Alex Kay is absolutely a hell of a lawyer! He is compassionate and very thorough at his job! This process was a absolute breeze 🙌
I've been working with attorney Michael Jones for two years and couldn't have asked for a more dedicated attorney. He has never given up on my case and continues to fight hard to make sure justice is served. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer who will stand by you.
Michael Jones and his team have been nothing but kind, courteous and very knowledgeable on any question I have had. They always answer my questions and walk me through the process. I would recommend Marko Law and Michael to anyone who needs an outstanding law firm.
From intake through the entire process, Michael Jones and his team have been doing an excellent job representing me. Their timely responses have given me true faith in their ability. I truly feel I could not be better represented anywhere else. Thank you, Michael and Dae!
Marko’s law firm truly has a great team ! Kyla in medical records is very comforting and pays great attention to detail!
I wanted to offer some positive feedback regarding Melody, who answers the phone. I found her to be very polite, cheerful and empathetic. She went above and beyond to make sure I could talk directly to the person who could best help me, and my issue was successfully resolved.
Marko Law is excellent! My case was handled very well. I appreciate the time Alex Kay spent to ensure I received the maximum payout, and his paralegal Tracey was great too. I recommend Alex Kay and Marko Law to everyone who needs a tried and trusted law firm!
Working with Marko Law Firm has been a superb experience! Alex Kay has done a phenomenal job handling my case, and his expertise has made a stressful situation feel much less daunting. He's been nothing but attentive and informative throughout the process.
Ariel Kellersohn is the best in the business. If you want a lawyer who dedicates herself to your case, you have found the right place. She upholds the highest standards of professionalism and is also very personable and easy to talk to. 10/10, if I could leave more than 5 stars I would!
Having Marko Law handle my case was the best decision I made. Alex Kay was excellent; he understood what I have been through and fought for me every step of the way. His dedication guided my case to a successful settlement. I would recommend them for any legal support you need.
What a fantastic experience I had working with the firm. You made me feel like you cared about me and not about making money. The communication was amazing, and you kept me informed on all aspects of my case. I would 100% recommend you and your firm.
They fight for the little guy. The process is generally hard, very hard, and mentally exhausting, but Marko and his phenomenal attorney Cait bring a lot of ease in that process. And WIN! Cait is straight up, honest of the risks and potential outcomes and such and fighter.
Great hard working firm that fights hard for their clients. Jon and his team are knowledgeable, dedicated and great people all around. Their results speak for themselves! Hire Marko!
John Marko handled my son's case wonderfully. He worked for us for 6 years to get my son the best settlement outcome. I highly recommend Marko Law.
I've been working here for three years and I can honestly say Jon Marko is a very passionate attorney with whom I'd trust a case with. He is honest, hard working and one of the smartest men I know. Wish I could give more than five stars!
Ernst and Marko is a firm that fights for the people. I have known Jon Marko for ten years and worked with him in civil litigation and an excessive force case. He is an aggressive and tireless advocate who fights for his clients to get them justice.
Marko Law exemplifies professionalism and diligence even in the most laborious cases. You truly feel protected and secure when handing Marko Law your vulnerability. They will always fight to protect your rights.
He was my attorney and couldn't of asked for a more aggressive and down to earth eager ATTORNEY! If you want a lawyer that will WIN then Jon Marko is the Man to call! I highly recommend him and we spoke whenever needed! Thank you again MARKO u were awesome:)
Thank you Jonathan Marko! You took my case and never let me down from day one! I recommend Marko Law; you will not regret it! Jonathan Marko is the most amazing Lawyer ever! The law firm is honest, fair, consistent, hard working and very nice! Thank you again!
Attorney Jon Marko is one of the finest attorneys I have ever had the opportunity to work with. His experience and calm courtroom demeanor leaves him unmatched, and makes him a truly aggressive advocate for his clients.
Marko Law is a breath of fresh air. They're responsive, they care and they get the job done. They have great communication which means you never feel out of the loop. Most of all they work hard until they get the outcome necessary. Love Marko and his team!
The Ernst and Marko Law firm has an amazing group of attorneys and staff that will make sure they give each and every client the personalized legal advice they need! They will fight for their clients to make justice is served! I highly recommend this firm!
I've know Jon Marko for years and he is simply the best. He has helped friends and family through tough times and I would trust him with any legal issue, considering that everyone I know that has hired him has had extremely favorable outcomes.
Jon Marko represented me in a lawsuit. He is extremely smart, hardworking, and dedicated to his clients. I'm an attorney myself so I understand what is required of an exceptional attorney. You will not be disappointed if you hire him and his firm to represent you!
The world needs more protectors like Jon Marko from police brutality. He was kind, generous, and reassuring when I spoke to him. Thank you for being a defender of the every man because it's the right thing to do.
Big shoutout to the Marko Law squad. Gasper was an absolute assassin in the best possible way, and trust me, that's a high compliment coming from me. John Eads and Gasper tag-teamed those negotiations like champs. I'll be sending clients your way for the foreseeable future.
Alex Kay is absolutely a hell of a lawyer! He is compassionate and very thorough at his job! This process was a absolute breeze 🙌
I've been working with attorney Michael Jones for two years and couldn't have asked for a more dedicated attorney. He has never given up on my case and continues to fight hard to make sure justice is served. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer who will stand by you.
Michael Jones and his team have been nothing but kind, courteous and very knowledgeable on any question I have had. They always answer my questions and walk me through the process. I would recommend Marko Law and Michael to anyone who needs an outstanding law firm.
From intake through the entire process, Michael Jones and his team have been doing an excellent job representing me. Their timely responses have given me true faith in their ability. I truly feel I could not be better represented anywhere else. Thank you, Michael and Dae!
Marko’s law firm truly has a great team ! Kyla in medical records is very comforting and pays great attention to detail!
I wanted to offer some positive feedback regarding Melody, who answers the phone. I found her to be very polite, cheerful and empathetic. She went above and beyond to make sure I could talk directly to the person who could best help me, and my issue was successfully resolved.
Marko Law is excellent! My case was handled very well. I appreciate the time Alex Kay spent to ensure I received the maximum payout, and his paralegal Tracey was great too. I recommend Alex Kay and Marko Law to everyone who needs a tried and trusted law firm!
Working with Marko Law Firm has been a superb experience! Alex Kay has done a phenomenal job handling my case, and his expertise has made a stressful situation feel much less daunting. He's been nothing but attentive and informative throughout the process.
Ariel Kellersohn is the best in the business. If you want a lawyer who dedicates herself to your case, you have found the right place. She upholds the highest standards of professionalism and is also very personable and easy to talk to. 10/10, if I could leave more than 5 stars I would!
Having Marko Law handle my case was the best decision I made. Alex Kay was excellent; he understood what I have been through and fought for me every step of the way. His dedication guided my case to a successful settlement. I would recommend them for any legal support you need.
What a fantastic experience I had working with the firm. You made me feel like you cared about me and not about making money. The communication was amazing, and you kept me informed on all aspects of my case. I would 100% recommend you and your firm.
They fight for the little guy. The process is generally hard, very hard, and mentally exhausting, but Marko and his phenomenal attorney Cait bring a lot of ease in that process. And WIN! Cait is straight up, honest of the risks and potential outcomes and such and fighter.
Great hard working firm that fights hard for their clients. Jon and his team are knowledgeable, dedicated and great people all around. Their results speak for themselves! Hire Marko!
John Marko handled my son's case wonderfully. He worked for us for 6 years to get my son the best settlement outcome. I highly recommend Marko Law.
I've been working here for three years and I can honestly say Jon Marko is a very passionate attorney with whom I'd trust a case with. He is honest, hard working and one of the smartest men I know. Wish I could give more than five stars!
Ernst and Marko is a firm that fights for the people. I have known Jon Marko for ten years and worked with him in civil litigation and an excessive force case. He is an aggressive and tireless advocate who fights for his clients to get them justice.
Marko Law exemplifies professionalism and diligence even in the most laborious cases. You truly feel protected and secure when handing Marko Law your vulnerability. They will always fight to protect your rights.
He was my attorney and couldn't of asked for a more aggressive and down to earth eager ATTORNEY! If you want a lawyer that will WIN then Jon Marko is the Man to call! I highly recommend him and we spoke whenever needed! Thank you again MARKO u were awesome:)
Thank you Jonathan Marko! You took my case and never let me down from day one! I recommend Marko Law; you will not regret it! Jonathan Marko is the most amazing Lawyer ever! The law firm is honest, fair, consistent, hard working and very nice! Thank you again!
Attorney Jon Marko is one of the finest attorneys I have ever had the opportunity to work with. His experience and calm courtroom demeanor leaves him unmatched, and makes him a truly aggressive advocate for his clients.
Marko Law is a breath of fresh air. They're responsive, they care and they get the job done. They have great communication which means you never feel out of the loop. Most of all they work hard until they get the outcome necessary. Love Marko and his team!
The Ernst and Marko Law firm has an amazing group of attorneys and staff that will make sure they give each and every client the personalized legal advice they need! They will fight for their clients to make justice is served! I highly recommend this firm!
I've know Jon Marko for years and he is simply the best. He has helped friends and family through tough times and I would trust him with any legal issue, considering that everyone I know that has hired him has had extremely favorable outcomes.
Jon Marko represented me in a lawsuit. He is extremely smart, hardworking, and dedicated to his clients. I'm an attorney myself so I understand what is required of an exceptional attorney. You will not be disappointed if you hire him and his firm to represent you!
The world needs more protectors like Jon Marko from police brutality. He was kind, generous, and reassuring when I spoke to him. Thank you for being a defender of the every man because it's the right thing to do.
At Marko Law, we don’t just take cases — we take a stand. Whether you're facing an injury, injustice, or outright negligence, our team fights like it’s personal — because to you, it is.
Ready to make your voice heard?
We’re not here to play games. We’re here to win.
