Wrongful Terminations

If you have been terminated from your job, you may not know what rights or options, if any, you possess. The attorneys at Kalniz, Iorio & Reardon can provide advice and guidance to individuals who have been terminated or subjected to a severe adverse employment action. Even “at will” employees in Michigan have various rights that protect them from unlawful employment discrimination and retaliation.

Laws Against Employment Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment in Michigan

There are various laws in Michigan, including the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), that prohibit employment discrimination based upon an individual’s race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, height, weight, or marital status.

There are also federal employment antidiscrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, that may be applicable to employees who are challenging an employment termination in Michigan. Individuals also have legal rights to be free from retaliation for invoking rights under federal and state laws.

Our Grand Rapids employment attorneys are knowledgeable regarding all relevant employment laws that may affect your rights including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Michigan Wage and Hour laws and the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act.

How Our Michigan Employment Attorneys Help You

The employment attorneys at Kalniz, Iorio & Reardon represent individuals facing job termination and have the experience, skill and tenacity to ensure that you know what your rights and options are and how you can enforce those rights. There are certain steps that an individual who has been terminated (or faced with a severe adverse employment action) may consider including:

• Obtaining a complete copy of your personnel file. Under Michigan law, an employee is entitled to request a receive a copy of her personnel file;
• Documenting instances of alleged discrimination with date, time and brief description. Such documentation should be done during non-working hours and should be done with your own personal (non-work) computer and papers;
• Requesting representation if an employment investigatory interview appears to be underway to build a case for termination by invoking your Weingarten rights;
• Obtaining a copy of any employment contracts, employee manuals or handbooks or other written correspondence that outline your employment relationship with your employer;
• Contacting an attorney at Kalniz, Iorio & Reardon to seek legal advice. Federal and state employment laws have various statutes of limitations and failure to file claims or lawsuits within the statutory deadlines can effectively terminate your right to sue. Moreover, there are certain procedural requirements that must be met in order to pursue various discrimination claims; and
• Making sure that you have been paid salary due and received fringe benefits owed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Michigan Wage and Hour laws and pursuant to Michigan law relating to unpaid sales commissions.

The attorneys at Kalniz, Iorio & Reardon can provide guidance on filing charges with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. We understand the importance that you place on your job and career and that your family depends on your income and the benefits that your job provides. If you have been terminated and have questions about your legal rights, contact the Grand Rapids attorneys at Kalniz, Iorio & Reardon.