Skip to main content
General FAQs

General FAQs

  • Subject to any established employment conditions, an employee can be discharged for a good reason or no reason at all, so long as the discharge is not due to any bad faith or unlawful intent. A discharged employee may challenge the action, if applicable, based on any protected category such as age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability or protected union activity. If the employee’s work position is represented by a labor organization, a contractual right may exist limiting discharge actions to satisfying a “just cause” standard. As such, a union may challenge a discharge per the grievance procedure in the collective bargaining agreement.
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that investigates alleged discrimination based on “protected categories,” such as, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, pregnancy, disability, age of forty years and older, and sexual harassment.

    Federal EEOC

    Patrick V. McNamara Bldg.

    477 Michigan Ave., Rm. 865

    Detroit, MI 48226

    (313) 226-4610 or (800) 669-4000

    info@eeoc.gov 

    • The Michigan Department of Civil Rights is a state agency that investigates claims of discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, height, weight, disability, arrest record, and other protected categories. 

     Detroit Executive Office/Service Center                                        Lansing Executive Office

    Michigan Department of Civil Rights                                              Capitol Tower Bldg.

    3054 W. Grand Blvd., Ste. 3-600                                                  110 W. Michigan Ave., Ste. 800

     Detroit, MI 48202                                                                          Lansing, MI 48933

     (313) 456-3700   (800) 482-3604                                                 (517) 335-3165   (800) 482-3604

    Email: MDCRInfo@michigan.gov                                                 Website: www.michigan.gov/mdcr

  • State Agency: The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) handles issues relating to unpaid wages and benefits, minimum wage, overtime, earned sick time, prevailing wage rates and Human Trafficking Notifications. 

    Lansing Office                                                                 Detroit Office

    Wage & Hour Division                                                    Wage & Hour Division

    Elliot-Larsen Bldg, 6th Floor                                          Cadillac Place

    320 S Walnut St 6                                                         3026 W. Grand Blvd., Ste. 2-750

    Lansing, MI 48933                                                        Detroit, MI 48202

    (855) 464-9243                                                             (855) 464-9243

    Email: WHinfo@michigan.gov                     Website: www.michigan.gov/wagehour

    Federal Agency: The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division administers federal laws related to minimum wage, prevailing wage, overtime, break time, hours of work, polygraphs, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The U.S. Wage and Hour Division maintains 2 offices in the state.

    Detroit District Office                                                    Grand Rapids Office

    U.S. Dept. of Labor                                                      U.S. Dept. of Labor

    Wage & Hour Division                                                  Wage & Hour Division

    5700 Crooks Rd. Rm 310                                             800 Monroe Ave., NW Ste. 315

    Troy, MI 48098-2809                                                    Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1451

    (313) 309-4500                                                            (616) 456-2004

    (866) 487-9243

     

     

  •  The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency handles unemployment benefit issues for claimants and employers. Claimants: (866) 500-0017 Employers: (855) 484-2636 Website: www.michigan.gov/uia

  • The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regulates safety and health issues in Michigan workplaces, as well as issues concerning construction. The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is a federal agency that regulates workplace safety and health issues in the private sector. The Federal OSHA services states outside of Michigan that do not have a state health and safety program.

    A person injured while working should contact their employer. If the issue remains unresolved, the worker should contact the Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency.

    OSHA’s Michigan Office:

    U.S. Department of Labor

    Occupational Safety & Health Admin.

    315 W. Allegan, Ste. 207

    Lansing, MI 48933

    (517) 487-4996

    (517) 487-4997 (Fax)

    www.osha.gov

     

    MIOSHA

    Michigan Dept. Labor and Economic Opportunity

    Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Admin.

    530 W. Allegan, P.O. Box 30643

    Lansing, MI 48909

    (800) 866-4674

    www.michigan.gov/miosha

     

    Workers Compensation Agency:

     2501 Woodlake Circle, Ste. 115

    Okemos, MI 48864

    (888) 396-5041

    www.michigan.gov/wca

     

  • The Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act (“Right to Know Act”) is a law that permits most employees to review personnel records. The Act lists the criteria for the review, the information to be contained in personnel records and sets forth penalties for violations. Currently, there is no state agency that enforces the Bullard-Plawecki Act. Individuals should contact their Human Resources office, Union representative or a private attorney for assistance. (For attorney referrals—contact the State Bar of Michigan at (800) 968-0738).