Have you experienced discrimination or harassment at work? Has your employer taken adverse action against you for exercising your rights? Has the company breached your employment agreement? When you have a legal matter involving your employment, you need dedicated legal counsel to help you stand up for your interests. Contact The Mastromarco Firm for an initial case evaluation with an employment law attorney to discuss your options for seeking a favorable solution to your workplace legal dispute.
Why Choose an Employment Law Attorney from The Mastromarco Firm?
When you have a legal matter involving an employer, your choice of legal counsel can prove critical to protecting your rights. Turn to a lawyer from The Mastromarco Firm to advocate for you when you have a legal dispute with an employer.
We have over 40 years of experience representing employees in all parts of Michigan and frequently outside the state as well. Our attorneys have earned a reputation for top-quality legal representation and dedication to delivering stellar results.
Our firm utilizes state-of-the-art technology that enables us to service our clients as effectively as possible and provide a seamless experience in an ever-changing environment.
Our long-standing presence in the community and proven track record have made us a resource for individuals seeking knowledgeable legal counsel for employment law matters.
Our attorneys have extensive experience practicing in state and federal courts. We have solid working relationships with judges and clerks and an in-depth understanding of the local courts. As a result, our firm can tackle the most challenging employment law matters, even when a case goes to court and trial.
Types of Employment Law Matters We Can Help You Handle
Our firm advocates for workers who have experienced discrimination from current or prospective employers. Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant unfavorably or takes adverse employment action against them due to an individual’s protected characteristic. Federal and state laws identify various protected characteristics, such as:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religious beliefs
- Age (40 and older)
- Disability
- Pregnancy (including post-pregnancy recovery and nursing)
- Genetic information
- Sex/gender
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
Discrimination involves adverse employment actions against workers for their protected characteristics. Common examples of adverse employment decisions that could give rise to discrimination claims include:
- Refusal to hire
- Refusal to promote
- Demotion
- Termination
- Denial of training or career advancement opportunities
- Denial of pay raises or bonuses
- Reduction of pay or work hours
- Denial of time off
- Assignment to less desirable job duties
- Exclusion from meetings or workplace activities
- Disparate imposition of discipline (disciplining workers with a particular characteristic for behavior for which other workers do not receive discipline)
- Unjustified negative performance reviews
Employment discrimination can also take the form of workplace harassment or a hostile work environment. Workplace harassment occurs when an employee becomes the target of offensive statements or actions based on that employee’s protected characteristic. It can also include sexual harassment, such as offensive behavior based on sex or gender, making unwanted sexual or romantic advances, or quid pro quo harassment (offering benefits in employment or agreeing to refrain from adverse employment actions in exchange for sexual favors).
A hostile work environment, meanwhile, can develop when other employees engage in unwanted, offensive behavior so severe or pervasive that it alters an employee’s work experience by creating an intimidating atmosphere or interfering with the employee’s job performance.
Employment retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse employment action against a worker who engages in a legally protected activity. Examples of legally protected activities include:
- Reporting workplace discrimination or harassment
- Opposing discriminatory or harassing workplace activity
- Filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights
- Participating in an HR or government investigation into alleged workplace discrimination or harassment, or in an employment discrimination/harassment lawsuit or legal proceeding, including providing information to investigators or testifying in a proceeding
- Engaging in whistleblowing activity (reporting, opposing, or refusing to participate in unlawful or unethical conduct by an employer)
- Participating in union-organizing activities
- Requesting accommodations for a disability or pregnancy
- Requesting or taking job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Requesting or receiving workers’ compensation benefits
- Reporting workplace safety violations or participating in a government investigation into such violations
Our firm also represents workers who have legal disputes arising from their employment agreements. An employer and employee may have an express written employment agreement or an implied agreement based on oral agreements and written documents like employee handbooks. An employment contract outlines the rights and responsibilities of an employee and their employer. Common examples of employment contract matters our firm can handle include:
- Breach of contract, such as an employer’s failure to pay commissions, bonuses, or equity compensation as promised by the parties’ agreement
- Restrictive covenants, such as non-compete, non-solicitation, no-hire, and non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements
- Wrongful termination, where an employee alleges their employer lacked cause for termination
- Compensation disputes, including an employee’s eligibility for bonuses or commissions and the calculation of pay owed to the employee
Our firm handles cases brought by workers who have suffered adverse employment action, such as demotion or retaliation, for reasons that violate public policy. Employment public policy ensures that workers do not have to choose between doing the right thing and keeping their jobs. Examples of employment public policy cases include:
- Wrongful termination in violation of public policy, such as terminating an employee who reports workplace safety violations to the government
- Whistleblower retaliation, or retaliating against an employee who reports illegal or unethical practices by their employer
- Refusal to participate in unlawful or unethical business practices
- Refusal to engage in discriminatory practices, such as refusing to hire or fire employees based on protected characteristics
- Taking protected leave under the FMLA or state workers’ compensation law
What Steps Should You Take if You Have an Employment Law Matter?
When you have a legal dispute with your employer, take the following steps to protect your rights and put yourself in a favorable position to pursue claims:
- Document your employer’s activity, including keeping copies of written correspondence and HR reports or records
- Review your employment agreement and other written documents, such as an employee handbook
- Follow your employer’s internal reporting or complaint procedures
- Consult an experienced employment law attorney about your legal options
- Seek legal remedies, such as filing a complaint with a state or federal employment law agency or pursuing a lawsuit against your employer
How Can an Attorney Represent You in an Employment Law Case?
A seasoned employment lawyer from The Mastromarco Firm can support your case by:
- Investigating your claims to recover evidence that can prove your allegations, such as HR records, email correspondence, and witness testimony
- Evaluating your legal options for pursuing relief, such as filing complaints with government regulators or initiating litigation against an employer
- Documenting your losses resulting from an employer’s misconduct, such as lost pay or benefits, damage to professional reputation, and emotional distress
- Aggressively fighting for the best possible outcome for you under the circumstances of your case
Contact Our Firm Today for Experienced Guidance and Advocacy in an Employment Matter
If you have a legal issue with a current or prospective employer, you need experienced legal counsel to advocate for you and guide you to a favorable resolution. Contact The Mastromarco Firm today for a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable employment law attorney to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you protect your rights and interests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We have extensive experience representing workers with claims involving discrimination, retaliation, employment contracts (such as breach of contract, restrictive covenants, and wrongful termination), and employment public policy violations.
Discrimination involves adverse employment actions based on protected characteristics identified by federal and state laws, including race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, age (40 and older), disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex/gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Employment discrimination is unfavorable treatment based on a protected characteristic. Employment retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against a worker for engaging in a legally protected activity, such as reporting workplace harassment or participating in an investigation.
To protect your rights, you should document your employer’s activity (including correspondence and HR reports), review your employment agreement, follow internal reporting procedures, consult with an experienced employment law attorney, and seek legal remedies.
Our attorneys can assist by investigating your claims and recovering evidence, evaluating your legal options for seeking relief, documenting your losses (including lost pay and emotional distress), and aggressively advocating for a favorable outcome in your case.