General FAQs

What recourse do I have if I get fired?

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.

Which agency do I contact if my employer has discriminated against me based on such factors as my race, age, religion, gender, national origin, or disability?

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

Which agency do I contact if I am having issues with unpaid wages, overtime, leave time, fringe benefits, minimum wage, prevailing wage, overtime, break time, hours of work, human trafficking, polygraphs, or the Family and Medical Leave Act?

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

Which agency do I contact if I want to file for unemployment insurance?

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

Which agency do I contact if I have issues relating to workplace safety or workplace injuries?

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

Is there a law in Michigan that allows me to access and/or make copies of my personnel file?

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).

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General FAQs