Employers in Michigan are banned from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender under the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act. Consequently employers cannot use sex or gender as a basis for determinations regarding wages, hiring policies, or promotion policies. They also must ensure that working environments are not hostile or biased towards a certain gender, and that it is not of an overtly sexual atmosphere.
What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
Under the Equal Pay act, discrimination can be proven if men and women both work in the same place, do the same job, but are nevertheless paid differently. A discrimination claim may also succeed when employers in Ann Arbor hire only one particular gender, issues promotions based on gender, or retaliates against persons who seek relief for employer misconduct.
When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?
Sexual harassment includes all unwelcome or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that is directed at the victim, whether it is physical or verbal. An Ann Arbor employer might be held liable for the unwelcome conduct, even if it was an employee's co-worker who engaged in the sexual harassment.
Michigan employers who allow conduct to produce an overly sexual work atmosphere may also be held liable for sexual harassment. Gender discrimination is usually difficult to prove without a lawyer because the specifics of proving intent can be complicated. There are also detailed procedures that must be followed when pursuing a claim.