Protecting Michigan Workers’ Rights
Employment law violations affect thousands of Michigan workers every year. Whether you’re facing workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, or wage theft, you deserve an attorney who will fight aggressively to protect your rights and livelihood. The Farhat Law Firm represents employees throughout Wayne County, Oakland County, and Southeast Michigan in all types of employment disputes.
Attorney Bill Farhat understands the power imbalance workers face when going up against their employer. Our firm levels the playing field by providing skilled legal representation that holds employers accountable for violations of federal and Michigan employment laws.
Workplace Discrimination
Federal and Michigan laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on protected characteristics. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protect workers from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, height, weight, marital status, and genetic information. If you have been denied a promotion, terminated, harassed, or treated differently because of a protected characteristic, you may have a valid discrimination claim.
Discrimination can be overt or subtle. It may appear as unequal pay for equal work, exclusion from meetings or opportunities, biased performance evaluations, or patterns of discipline that disproportionately affect certain groups. Our firm investigates these patterns and builds compelling cases that demonstrate unlawful treatment.
Sexual Harassment
No one should have to endure sexual harassment in the workplace. Michigan and federal law recognize two primary forms of sexual harassment: quid pro quo harassment, where employment benefits are conditioned on sexual favors, and hostile work environment harassment, where unwelcome sexual conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating or offensive work environment.
Sexual harassment can include unwanted physical contact, sexually explicit comments or jokes, sharing inappropriate images, repeated unwelcome advances, and retaliation against employees who report harassment. The Farhat Law Firm handles these sensitive cases with discretion and determination, ensuring your complaint is properly documented and pursued.
Wrongful Termination
Michigan is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can generally terminate employees for any reason. However, there are critical exceptions. Your termination may be unlawful if you were fired in retaliation for reporting illegal activity (whistleblower protection), for filing a workers’ compensation claim, for taking FMLA leave, because of your membership in a protected class, or in violation of an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
Wrongful termination cases require prompt action. Evidence can disappear quickly, and there are strict filing deadlines with agencies like the EEOC and Michigan Department of Civil Rights. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, contact our office immediately for a case evaluation.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Michigan employers must comply with both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Michigan’s Workforce Opportunity Wage Act. Common wage violations include failure to pay minimum wage, misclassifying employees as exempt from overtime, not paying time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 per week, requiring off-the-clock work, making illegal deductions from paychecks, and not paying final wages upon termination.
Wage theft affects workers at every income level. Our firm pursues claims for unpaid wages, overtime, commissions, and bonuses that employers have unlawfully withheld. In many cases, successful claims result in recovery of double damages plus attorney fees.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The FMLA entitles eligible employees to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for serious health conditions, the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Employers who interfere with FMLA rights or retaliate against employees for taking protected leave violate federal law.
Common FMLA violations include denying eligible employees leave, pressuring employees not to take leave, reducing hours or responsibilities upon return, and terminating employees during or shortly after FMLA leave. The Farhat Law Firm holds employers accountable for these violations.
Retaliation Claims
Michigan and federal law protect employees who engage in protected activities from retaliation by their employers. Protected activities include filing a discrimination or harassment complaint, reporting safety violations to MIOSHA, reporting illegal conduct (whistleblowing), participating in an investigation or lawsuit, requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability, and taking FMLA leave.
Retaliation can take many forms beyond termination, including demotion, pay reduction, schedule changes, reassignment to undesirable duties, negative performance reviews, and social isolation in the workplace. If you experienced adverse action after engaging in a protected activity, you may have a retaliation claim.
How Employment Claims Work in Michigan
Employment law claims typically begin with filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). These agencies investigate the complaint and may attempt mediation. If the agency does not resolve the matter, it issues a right-to-sue letter that allows you to file a lawsuit in court.
Strict deadlines apply to employment claims. EEOC charges must generally be filed within 300 days of the discriminatory act, while state claims have their own timelines. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim, which is why consulting an attorney promptly is essential.
Why Choose The Farhat Law Firm for Your Employment Case
Attorney Bill Farhat brings litigation experience from handling complex civil cases across Michigan courts. As a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2021 through 2024, Bill combines legal knowledge with aggressive advocacy to achieve results for his clients. Our firm provides free consultations to evaluate your employment claim and explain your options clearly.
We understand that employment disputes affect your income, your career, and your family’s stability. That is why we pursue every available remedy, including back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. Our goal is to make you whole and hold your employer accountable.
Serving Workers Across Southeast Michigan
The Farhat Law Firm represents employees in Westland, Southfield, Livonia, Canton, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, Redford, Plymouth, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Detroit, and throughout Wayne and Oakland Counties.
Contact Us for a Free Employment Law Consultation
If you believe your employer has violated your rights, do not wait. Contact The Farhat Law Firm today for a free consultation. Call (734) 932-7428 or send us a message online. We will review your situation and advise you on the best path forward.