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 must also make sure that working environments will not be hostile towards a certain gender and that the work atmosphere is not overly sexual.

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 Milan 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 consists of all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature directed towards the victim, and includes both physical and verbal acts. An employer in Milan might be liable for such conduct, even when it is simply other co-workers that have engaged in harassment.

A Michigan employer might also be liable for harassment if they allow conduct to lead to an environment that is overly sexual. It can be difficult to prove gender discrimination without first obtaining a lawyer, since specifics such as proving intent can often be complicated. There might also be procedures that must be followed in detail when one pursues a claim.