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Employment Law

Even isolated comments can trigger age discrimination suits

10/01/2007

Train managers and supervisors: No age-related comments! None. A simple sentence might not form the entire basis for an age discrimination lawsuit, but it can add fuel to an otherwise-smoldering case …

Watch what you promise: Michigan employment contracts can be oral

10/01/2007

In Michigan, employers and employees can enter into employment contracts without using written agreements. As long as one of the parties can prove what the terms of the agreement are, a court may enforce the agreement. One way to protect your organization is to have all new hires sign an acknowledgment that no oral promises are binding, and that all contracts must be in writing …

Interview and consider applicants even if they’re receiving SSD payments

10/01/2007

Applicants and employees who are so disabled they are eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) payments can still sue for disability discrimination under state law. Why? Because claiming you are totally disabled and unable to work (as required to get SSD benefits) doesn’t mean you don’t think you could do some type of work with reasonable accommodations …

Deaf Ann Arbor man dogged by gas station discrimination

10/01/2007

A hearing-impaired man filed an ADA suit against an Ann Arbor gas station after an attendant ordered the man to leave the store. According to the complaint, Robert Hurdley entered Golfside BP in Ann Arbor on June 6 accompanied by his service dog. Hurdley, who can read lips, claims the attendant told him to leave because dogs are not allowed in the store …

Exclusivity or discrimination? Hotel reconsiders ‘Women-Only’ floor

10/01/2007

The new JW Marriott in Grand Rapids had plans to reserve a hotel floor exclusively for women. The rooms would offer chenille blankets, robes and special soaps for a $30 premium over regular room prices. Now the novel arrangement, designed to entice female business travelers, is on hold …

Selfridge ANGB chief claims whistle-Blower protection

10/01/2007

The former chief of operations at Selfridge Air National Guard Base claims his position was eliminated in retaliation for his whistle-blower activities. Part of the chief’s job was supervising private contractors and construction companies working on government contracts. The chief claims he continually brought evidence of building code violations, fraud and abuse to the attention of his supervisors—who ignored him …

Employment Relations Commission stops union maneuver

10/01/2007

The Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) blocked a union ploy to add Public Safety Academy teachers to an existing bargaining unit representing workers employed by a different school system …

Whistle-Blower turns broken code into $90,000

10/01/2007

A fired Bay City municipal building inspector has his job back and is $90,000 richer. The inspector refused to issue a building permit because it conformed to a defunct building code, but not the newly enacted one …

Complying with the revised EEO-1 reporting requirements

10/01/2007

Employers were required to file a new and revised EEO-1 report by Sept. 30. The EEOC recently revised the report form for the first time in more than 40 years. Did your organization comply with the new reporting requirements—or will you need to make changes? …

Michigan’s minimum wage is higher than the federal rate

10/01/2007

Q. The federal minimum wage increased in July. How does that relate to the minimum wage in Michigan? …