VACATION TIME FOR EMPLOYEE WHO QUITS? YOU BET! QUESTION: One of our employees quit without notice, leaving us short-handed when we were under deadline pressure. We paid her for the time she had worked, up to the day she left, and that
Read More
For decades, members of Michigan’s LGBT community have had no protection against discrimination in the workplace. A skilled employee who is gay, lesbian, transgendered or bisexual can be fired, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against for that reason alone. That may be changing.
Read More
SPANKING IS NOT OK IN PUBLIC SCHOOL QUESTION: My 5-year-old son told me his teacher spanked him! When I contacted the teacher, he told me that spanking in school is allowed under a U.S. Supreme Court Decision. That cannot be right. ANSWER:
Read More
CHECKING APPLICANT’S SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS COULD BE ASKING FOR A LAWSUIT QUESTION: Before I interview applicants for a job, I check their social media presence, as a way of seeing if there are any major red flags (drug use), see if they
Read More
MANDATORY SICK PAY? NOT IN MICHIGAN! QUESTION: An employee who was out with the flu for three days says I have to pay her, because a new law requires employers to pay for sick time. I already give everyone five days paid
Read More
ASK THE LAWYER By: Daniel A. Gwinn, Esq. Attorney and Counselor at Law GWINN LEGAL PLLC 901 Wilshire Drive, Suite 550 Troy, MI 48084 (248) 247-3300 (248) 247-3310 facsimile [email protected]| www.gwinnlegal.com WILLING TO WORK FOR FREE? NEW RULES FOR UNPAID INTERNS LET
Read More
PENALTY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD REDUCED — BUT NOT UNTIL JULY QUESTION: Two years ago, I received unemployment benefits when I shouldn’t have, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency asked me to repay the benefits, plus a quadruple penalty. I heard that the penalties
Read More
SALARY HISTORY A NO-NO IN JOB INTERVIEW? QUESTION: One of my co-workers says it’s illegal to ask about a job applicant’s salary at their last job. I say there’s no law against it. There’s $20 riding on your answer. Who’s right? ANSWER:
Read More
CONTRACT EMPLOYEE WANTS LEAVE; DOES WORKPLACE EMPLOYER HAVE TO REHIRE? QUESTION: I work in Human Resources at a large company. In addition to our “permanent” workforce, we hire almost a hundred people through a staffing agency, to work for us on short-term,
Read More
IS CANCER A DISABILITY? QUESTION: I was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. My employer seemed sympathetic and told me I should schedule leave when I need it, but last week I was laid off. I was told the company was restructuring,
Read More