Workplace Discrimination Lawyer in Bingham Farms, Michigan
When bias shows up at work, it can cost you promotions, pay, and peace of mind. If you’re being treated differently because of who you are or what you believe, you don’t have to put up with it. I’m Scott Batey, and I represent employees—not employers. My job is to level the playing field and hold companies accountable under Michigan and federal law.
Do I Have a Workplace Discrimination Case?
Not every rude comment or tough review is illegal. Discrimination happens when your employer takes action against you because of a protected characteristic, including:
Unlawful actions include refusing to hire, disciplining without cause, terminating, denying training or promotion, pay cuts/demotions, and harassment that creates a hostile work environment. If you complained about discrimination or asked for an accommodation and were punished, that’s retaliation—which is also illegal.
Quick tip: Write down dates, names, and what was said. Save emails, texts, team chat messages, schedules, policy documents, performance reviews, and pay stubs. Evidence is how we prove what really happened.
How We Prove Retaliation
Timing & pattern
What changed after your report
Comparators
How similarly‑situated coworkers were treated
Policy deviations
Skipping steps, sudden rule changes
Pretext evidence
Shifting reasons, inconsistent documents
Paper trail
Emails, texts, HR tickets, performance history
How We Help
Evidence plan
Doctor certifications (WH‑380), emails, HR ticketing, time records, performance history, and attendance data
Agency filings
EEOC/MDCR/WHD strategy and deadlines
Negotiation & litigation
Demand letters, mediation, or filing suit
Damages focus
Back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and attorney’s fees where statutes allow
What I Do for Wrongful Termination Clients
Fast case assessment
Timeline + documents review to identify the strongest legal theory
Evidence strategy
Preserve, collect, and organize proof (emails, chats, performance records)
Agency filings
EEOC/MDCR/WHD, where strategic
Negotiation & litigation
Demand letters, mediation, or filing suit when needed
Damages focus
Back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, possible punitive where available, and attorney’s fees where statutes allow
How I Help Employees
Fast case assessment
What happened, which laws apply, and your best next step
Evidence strategy
Preserve emails, texts, HR tickets, reviews, schedules, pay data
Agency filings
EEOC/MDCR, MIOSHA/OSHA, WHD (wage/hour), where strategic
Negotiation & litigation
Demands, mediation, or filing suit when needed
Damages focus
Back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and fees where statutes allow
Employment Law Cases We Handle
Workplace disputes can threaten your career, your finances, and your peace of mind. Since 1996, attorney Scott Batey has represented employees across Michigan in a wide range of employment law matters — from wrongful termination to workplace discrimination and harassment. If your rights have been violated, we are here to help.
Employment Law
Full legal support for employees facing workplace disputes, from contract issues to policy violations.
Wrongful Termination
Defending workers who were unfairly fired in violation of their rights or contracts.
Workplace Discrimination
Protecting employees from bias based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, or other protected traits.
Sexual Harassment
Taking action against unwanted conduct or a hostile work environment.
FMLA & ADA
Enforcing your right to medical leave and workplace accommodations for disabilities.
Retaliation & Whistleblower
Representing those punished for reporting misconduct or asserting their legal rights.
Employment/Severance Agreements
Enforcing your right to medical leave and workplace accommodations for disabilities.
Michigan’s ELCRA (and How It Protects You)
Workplace Discrimination (ELCRA): Michigan’s Elliott–Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) prohibits discrimination in hiring, firing, pay, promotions, and the terms and conditions of employment. ELCRA works alongside federal laws (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, PDA) to give Michigan employees strong protections. Many cases are won under ELCRA because it’s tailored to Michigan and has robust remedies.
Religious Accommodation (Michigan)
Employers must provide a reasonable religious accommodation unless it causes undue hardship. Examples include schedule changes for religious observance, dress/grooming accommodations, and assignment changes that don’t burden operations.
LGBTQ+ Discrimination (Michigan)
In Michigan, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal. If you’ve been misgendered, denied facilities, disciplined for transitioning, or edged out of opportunities because of who you are, you may have a claim.
Disability & Accommodation (ADA / PWDCRA)
If you have a disability, your employer must engage in the interactive process and provide reasonable accommodations that allow you to do the essential functions of your job. Denials, delays, or retaliation after you ask for help may violate the law.
Age Discrimination
Age bias shows up in “restructurings,” sudden performance nitpicking, or passing over workers 40+ for younger (and often less qualified) employees. The law forbids stereotyping older workers as “not tech savvy,” “too expensive,” or “near retirement.”
Local Focus, Real Access
Batey Law serves Bingham Farms and surrounding communities—Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Southfield, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, Oak Park, Troy, Ferndale, Berkley, Madison Heights—and employees across Michigan. If you’re searching for: workplace discrimination lawyer, Bingham Farms MI, workplace discrimination attorney Birmingham MI, age discrimination attorney Birmingham MI, religious accommodation Michigan lawyer, LGBTQ+ discrimination Michigan…you’re in the right place. We’re local, responsive, and focused on employee rights.
How we build a winning case
Case Assessment
Timeline + document review to identify the strongest legal theories (ELCRA/Title VII/ADA/ADEA/PWDCRA).
Evidence Strategy
Preserve and organize emails, chats, write‑ups, metrics, schedules, comparators, and witness accounts.
Agency Filings
Personalized attention, clear communication, and strategies tailored to your goals.
Negotiation & Litigation
Demand letters, mediation, or filing suit—moving with purpose toward results.
Damages Focus
Back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and attorney’s fees where statutes allow.
How We Help
Fast assessment
We identify the strongest legal theories and risks.
Evidence strategy
Preserve and organize messages, recordings where lawful, performance records, comparators, and witness accounts.
Agency Filings
We handle EEOC/MDCR strategy and deadlines.
Demand, negotiate, or sue
We push for corrective action and compensation; we litigate when necessary.
Damages Focus
Back pay, front pay, emotional distress, and attorney’s fees where statutes allow.
Free Consultation—Confidential & Straightforward
Call (248) 540‑6800 or email sbatey@bateylaw.com. Tell us what happened. We’ll explain your options, next steps, and how to stay safe at work.
Office: Batey Law Firm, PLLC 30200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 400, Bingham Farms, MI 48025
your legal questions
Yes. Michigan is an at-will employment state, so you can be fired at any time, with or without cause or warning, unless: You have an employment contract or union agreement. You're protected by civil rights laws, FMLA, ADA, or other legal protections. The termination violates public policy, like firing a whistleblower or someone who filed a safety complaint. However, many companies follow their own progressive discipline policies—if your employer promised written warnings or has a handbook that requires it, that may be enforceable. If you were fired without a warning and suspect discrimination or retaliation, you may still have a wrongful termination case.
We look at evidence. If “personality” only becomes a problem after you disclose a disability, return from leave, or report bias, that’s a red flag we investigate.
No. Requesting a lawful accommodation is protected. Retaliation for asking can be its own claim.
Usually it helps to report issues using the policy or to HR. If you fear retaliation or already tried and nothing changed, we’ll discuss strategic options, including external filings.
Decisions or harassment driven by a protected characteristic (age, race, religion, sex/pregnancy, sexual orientation/gender identity, disability, national origin). Look for patterns: who gets opportunities, who gets disciplined, and what changed after you complained or requested an accommodation.
Need Legal Help With a Workplace Issue?
Get clear answers and a plan to protect your rights — starting with a free, confidential consultation.
Suite 400
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
United States