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 New Baltimore 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. A New Baltimore 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 may also be held liable for sexual harassment if it permits conduct that leads to an overly sexual work environment. Without a lawyer, it can be difficult to prove gender discrimination because the details in proving intent are often complicated. Also, there can be specific procedures that must be closely followed in pursuing a claim.