Race, National Origin, & Religious Discrimination

Michigan Race Discrimination Attorneys

While discrimination based on race and gender are the most commonly known, state and federal law also prohibit discrimination on the basis of national origin, religion, height, weight, and marital status. Our attorneys at Pitt McGehee Palmer Rivers & Golden  help workers affected by these types of discrimination.

The law protects workers from discrimination.

The Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) and the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 protect workers from discriminatory acts of employers. Employers are prohibited from:

• Conducting investigations of potential employees that allude to race or other characteristics
• Segregating or assigning workers based on race or skin color. 
• Tolerating or engaging in harassment based on race, color, or national origin, including ethnic jokes, racial slurs, or any unwelcome verbal or physical behavior that creates a hostile and intimidating work environment
• Making adverse decisions about an employee based on the race or national origin of the employee's associates, spouse, or friends. 
• Failing to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee such as time off for the Sabbath 
• Imposing seemingly neutral requirements for jobs such as height, which disparately impact on a protected group such as Hispanics or women.
• Assigning or limiting a minority employee such as a realtor or salesperson to a territory with a high minority population.

It is also illegal to punish, terminate, or otherwise retaliate against an employee because the employee complained of discriminatory treatment or filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination.

Race, Religion, or National Origin Discrimination

When helping clients with discrimination claims, our attorneys  stress the need for client involvement in developing the case. We view clients as the ultimate experts and a key element in creating a strong discrimination claim. We also consult with psychologists, economists, and labor specialists, using their analysis to calculate damages and strengthen the case.

Employment discrimination based on national origin, religion, or race is illegal. If you believe that you have been subject to discriminatory behavior by your employer, based on one of these protected traits/characteristics contact a Michigan employment attorney at Pitt McGehee Palmer Rivers & Golden. We can help.