If you’re facing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or unfair treatment at work, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed—and unsure about what to do next. Maybe your supervisor makes inappropriate comments. Maybe coworkers treat you differently because of your race, age, disability, religion, or gender. Maybe you were written up or fired after speaking up. Or maybe something just feels wrong, but HR keeps brushing you off.

Workplace injustice hits hard. It brings confusion, fear of losing your job, humiliation, and a deep sense of isolation—especially when HR won’t listen, minimizes your concerns, or tries to protect the company instead of protecting you. Speaking up is even harder in Michigan workplaces where power imbalances are real and retaliation is far too common.

That’s where an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) attorney comes in. EEOC attorneys step in when employers cross the line. They protect workers who refuse to be mistreated or silenced. They stand up to powerful employers. They make sure your complaint is filed properly, your evidence is preserved, and your case is taken seriously.

At Marko Law, we fight for employees across Michigan who are dealing with injustice on the job. We don’t back down. We don’t accept excuses. And we don’t let employers get away with violating your rights.

What the EEOC Does (and Why It Matters)

The Role of the EEOC

The EEOC is the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that protect workers from discrimination. Its job is to:

• Enforce federal laws prohibiting workplace discrimination
• Investigate charges filed by employees
• Make findings about whether discrimination occurred
• Oversee mediation and conciliation to resolve disputes
• File lawsuits in some cases where employers violate the law

The EEOC is a powerful tool for workers—but only if the process is handled correctly.

Types of Workplace Misconduct the EEOC Handles

The EEOC steps in when workers are mistreated based on:

• Race
• Sex or gender
• Sexual harassment
• Retaliation
• Disability
• Religion
• Age (40 and over)
• National origin

If any of these factors played a role in how you were treated—whether through harassment, punishment, or wrongful termination—you may have a valid EEOC claim.

The Importance of Filing Properly

The EEOC process is strict. Mistakes can cost you your case.

• Missing deadlines can permanently block your rights.
• Incomplete or inaccurate filings can weaken your claim.
• Lack of evidence or unclear allegations can lead to dismissal.

An experienced EEOC attorney ensures:

• Your charge is filed accurately
• Your claim is timely
• Your evidence is preserved and presented effectively
• Your rights are protected every step of the way

When your job, livelihood, and dignity are on the line, you don’t want to navigate this process alone.

Signs You Should Call an EEOC Attorney Immediately

You Are Experiencing Severe or Repeated Harassment

Harassment is illegal when it's based on a protected characteristic—and when it's severe, constant, or creates a hostile environment. Examples include:

• Sexual comments, inappropriate touching, or unwanted propositions
• Derogatory slurs, racist jokes, mocking accents, or hateful messages
• Intimidation, threats, or bullying behavior

If going to work makes you anxious, unsafe, or humiliated, that’s not “just part of the job.” That’s illegal harassment—and an attorney can help you take immediate action.

You’re Being Retaliated Against for Speaking Up

Employers often punish workers who stand up for themselves or others. Retaliation can look like:

• Cut hours, unfair demotion, or bad shifts
• Sudden negative write-ups or fabricated performance issues
• Termination or being pushed to resign
• Hostile treatment after making a complaint

Retaliation is the most common EEOC violation—and one of the clearest signs you need legal help.

HR Isn’t Listening or Is Protecting the Company

Many workers try to do the right thing by reporting issues internally. But HR works for the employer—not for you. Red flags include:

• Your complaints are ignored or quickly dismissed
• HR tells you to “work it out” with the person harming you
• No documentation, follow-up, or investigation occurs
• The company tries to downplay, deny, or cover up the problem

If HR isn’t taking your concerns seriously, calling an attorney is often your only real protection.

You Were Fired After Reporting Misconduct

If you were terminated—or felt forced to quit—after reporting harassment, discrimination, safety issues, or illegal behavior, this may be:

• Wrongful termination
• Retaliation
• A firing based on a false “pretext” to hide the employer’s real motive

When your job disappears right after you speak up, an attorney should be your next call.

You’re Not Sure Whether Your Situation Is Illegal

You don’t have to know the law to know something feels wrong. Many workers reach out because they’re unsure—and that’s completely okay.

Early legal guidance can:

• Prevent serious mistakes
• Preserve evidence
• Protect your job
• Strengthen your EEOC complaint

When in doubt, it’s better to call an attorney early than to wait until it’s too late.

Common Employer Tactics

Minimizing or Denying the Problem

One of the most common employer tactics is gaslighting:

• “That’s not discrimination.”
• “It was just a joke.”
• “You’re being too sensitive.”

Employers try to downplay misconduct, hoping you’ll second-guess your own experience. An attorney makes sure your concerns are taken seriously and documented correctly.

Retaliation After You Speak Up

Retaliation is illegal, yet it’s the number one complaint filed with the EEOC. Employers may:

• Issue sudden write-ups or trumped-up performance issues
• Demote you or move you to bad shifts
• Exclude you from meetings or opportunities
• Terminate you or force you to resign

An EEOC attorney helps you identify retaliation quickly and gather the evidence needed to prove it.

Manipulating Your Statement

HR is there to protect the company—not you. They may:

• Twist your words
• Misrepresent your complaint
• Leave out important details
• Reframe the situation to favor management

With an attorney, your story is accurately recorded and shielded from manipulation.

Delayed Investigations

Some employers purposely stall, hoping:

• The EEOC deadline will pass
• You’ll give up
• Evidence will disappear

An attorney ensures that deadlines are met, evidence is preserved, and the employer cannot run out the clock.

Pressuring You Into Silence

Employers sometimes try to shut workers down through:

• Threats
• Intimidation
• Misleading “confidentiality” agreements
• Fear-mongering about losing your job

These tactics are designed to scare you. An EEOC attorney protects you from this pressure and stops illegal intimidation in its tracks.

What an EEOC Attorney Does for You

Files a Strong, Legally-Supported Charge

The EEOC process starts with your charge—and it must be done correctly. An attorney:

• Clearly outlines the discrimination or retaliation
• Identifies all legal violations
• Links evidence directly to federal laws
• Ensures deadlines are met

A powerful charge sets the tone for the entire case.

Gathers and Preserves Evidence

Strong evidence is the backbone of every successful EEOC claim. Your attorney helps collect and protect:

• Emails, texts, and messages
• Performance evaluations
• Write-ups and disciplinary actions
• Witness statements
• Records showing patterns of discrimination

This prevents employers from hiding or destroying crucial proof.

Represents You in EEOC Proceedings

The EEOC process can include:

• Mediation
• Responses to employer defenses
• Conciliation efforts to resolve the matter
• Negotiation of a settlement

Your attorney handles every step and ensures the employer cannot twist the narrative.

Prepares Your Case for Litigation

If the EEOC issues a Right to Sue letter, your attorney is ready to:

• Develop a federal litigation strategy
• File your lawsuit in court
• Protect you from further retaliation
• Fight for damages, justice, and accountability

This is where powerful legal representation levels the playing field.

Levels the Playing Field

Employers—especially large corporations and government agencies—fear strong legal representation. An EEOC attorney:

• Stops employers from bullying, manipulating, or intimidating you
• Makes sure HR follows the law
• Forces accountability and transparency
• Gives you the power and protection you deserve

When you have an advocate in your corner, your employer can no longer control the story.

Your Voice Matters. Your Rights Matter. Call Now.

No one should face workplace discrimination or harassment alone. No one should be punished for speaking up, ignored by HR, or left to navigate fear and uncertainty without support. If something illegal is happening at your job—whether discrimination, harassment, or retaliation—you deserve protection, dignity, and justice.

But you must act quickly. EEOC deadlines move fast, evidence disappears, and employers often count on workers missing their chance to take action. Calling an EEOC attorney right away protects your rights and strengthens your case from day one.

At Marko Law, we stand with Michigan workers who have been mistreated, overlooked, or pushed out. We fight back against employers who think they’re above the law. Your voice matters. Your rights matter. And we’re here to make sure you’re not fighting this battle alone.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: https://www.markolaw.com/