Employment Lawyer Near Me — Bingham Farms, MI

When your workplace rights are violated, the consequences can be devastating—lost income, damaged reputation, emotional stress, and uncertainty about the future. Whether you’re dealing with discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or a sudden termination, having a strong employment lawyer by your side is not just helpful—it’s essential. These are moments when the power imbalance between employer and employee is at its highest, and you need someone who knows how to level the playing field.

In Michigan, the laws protecting workers are complex and unique. Hiring a local Michigan employment attorney—someone who understands the nuances of state laws, how Metro Detroit employers operate, and how Michigan courts analyze workplace disputes—can make all the difference. A local advocate not only understands the legal landscape, but also the culture, industries, and unwritten dynamics that shape employment relationships across Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.

Attorney Scott Batey, based in Bingham Farms, is one of Michigan’s most respected employment lawyers. With nearly 30 years of experience representing employees across the state, Scott brings a strategic, results-driven approach to every case. He is trusted by Michigan workers because he is direct, relentless, and deeply committed to holding employers accountable when they break the law. When your job, livelihood, or dignity is on the line, Batey Law stands ready to fight for you.

Types of Cases an Employment Lawyer Handles

Wrongful Termination

Losing your job unfairly can be traumatic—and illegal. Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires a worker for reasons the law prohibits, such as:

• Discrimination based on race, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, religion, or other protected traits.
• Retaliation for reporting unlawful behavior, requesting accommodations, taking medical leave, or asserting your rights.

In some situations, an employer may not fire you outright but instead make the work environment so unbearable that you have no reasonable choice but to quit. This is known as constructive discharge, and Michigan law treats it similarly to an illegal termination. Batey Law identifies the patterns, documentation, and employer behaviors that prove these claims.

Workplace Discrimination

Michigan workers are protected under federal laws and state statutes, including:

• ELCRA – Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
• ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
• PWDCRA – Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Discrimination can be overt or subtle and may occur during hiring, discipline, evaluations, promotions, or termination. Protected categories include:

• Race
• Age
• Disability
• Sex & pregnancy
• Religion
• National origin
• LGBTQ+ status
• Marital status and more

Batey Law investigates how similarly situated employees were treated, exposes inconsistencies in employer explanations, and fights aggressively for justice.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is illegal whether it comes from a supervisor, coworker, or even a customer. It typically appears in two forms:

• Hostile work environment: repeated comments, unwanted touching, inappropriate jokes, or sexualized behavior that makes the workplace intimidating or abusive.
• Quid pro quo harassment: when job benefits—or threats—are tied to sexual demands or conduct.

Employers can be held liable when they ignore complaints or fail to take prompt, corrective action. Scott Batey is known for his strong stance against harassment and his ability to build powerful, evidence-based cases.

Retaliation & Whistleblower Claims

Workers who report unlawful behavior are protected. Employers cannot punish employees for:

• Reporting discrimination or harassment
• Filing internal complaints or contacting HR
• Reporting safety violations under MIOSHA
• Exposing illegal conduct under the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (WPA)
• Participating in an investigation

Retaliation often appears as sudden write-ups, demotions, reduced hours, schedule changes, or termination. Batey Law excels at proving retaliation through timing analysis and uncovering employer pretext.

FMLA & Medical Leave Violations

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects eligible employees who need time off for serious health conditions, family care, childbirth, or adoption. Common violations include:

• Interference with taking leave
• Retaliation for requesting or using leave
• Firing employees who aren’t “100% healed”
• Reducing hours or responsibilities after return

Michigan employees also have rights under state disability laws, which often provide broader protections than FMLA alone.

Wage & Hour / Overtime Disputes

Employers frequently violate wage laws—sometimes intentionally. Common violations include:

• Unpaid wages for hours worked
• Off-the-clock work before or after shifts
• Denying proper overtime pay
• Misclassification as salary-exempt or independent contractor
• Withholding commissions or bonuses

Batey Law aggressively pursues unpaid wages and ensures workers receive every dollar they earned.

Severance Agreements & Contract Review

When employees are offered termination packages, they often come with strings attached: releases of claims, confidentiality clauses, and non-disparagement terms. Before signing anything, employees should have a lawyer review it.

Batey Law helps clients:

• Evaluate whether the offer is fair
• Negotiate better terms, including pay and benefits
• Protect future job opportunities and references
• Avoid hidden traps employers commonly include

Scott’s negotiation skills have helped countless Michigan employees secure stronger severance agreements and protect their long-term career interests.

How Batey Law Evaluates Employment Claims

Understanding the Employee’s Story

Every strong employment case begins with the truth of the employee’s experience. Scott Batey takes the time to understand:

• What happened
• When it happened
• Who was involved
• How the employer responded

A detailed intake allows Scott to uncover violations, identify patterns, and evaluate employer motive.

Reviewing Key Evidence

Next, Batey Law conducts a comprehensive review of the evidence. This may include:

• Emails and text messages
• Employee handbooks and policies
• Write-ups, PIPs, and performance reviews
• HR reports and internal investigations
• Witness statements
• Comparator evidence—proof that other employees were treated differently

This step is critical. Employment cases are often won by exposing inconsistencies or contradictions between what the employer claims happened and what the evidence actually shows.

Identifying Legal Violations

After examining the facts and evidence, Scott matches employer conduct to specific laws, including:

• Federal laws like the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA
• Michigan laws such as ELCRA, PWDCRA, MIOSHA, WPA
• Wage and hour protections under state and federal regulations

This allows Batey Law to determine:

• What legal violations occurred
• Which claims are strongest
• What damages and remedies may be available

This strategic approach ensures no viable claim is overlooked and the case is positioned for maximum leverage.

Providing Clear, Strategic Advice

Once your case has been evaluated, Scott provides:

• Direct, honest feedback about the strength of your claims
• Clear guidance on options, including:
  
  • Filing an EEOC or MDCR charge
  • Negotiating a severance or settlement
  • Pursuing litigation
• Step-by-step strategy tailored to your goals

Scott’s approach is transparent and empowering—his clients always understand their options and the path forward.

What To Do If You Think Your Employer Violated Your Rights

Steps to Take Immediately

If you suspect unlawful treatment:

• Gather documents—emails, texts, evaluations, disciplinary actions, policies
• Document incidents as they occur, including dates, names, and details
• Limit unnecessary communication with management or HR, especially when emotions run high
• Keep personal copies of evidence (from home or personal email)

These actions help preserve the facts needed to protect your rights.

What Not to Do

Many employees unintentionally harm their case before speaking with a lawyer. Avoid:

• Quitting without legal advice—employers often rely on voluntary resignation to escape liability
• Signing severance agreements, waivers, or HR forms without attorney review
• Discussing your situation with coworkers or posting about it online
• Using workplace devices to store or access evidence

Protecting your case starts with protecting your information.

When to Contact an Employment Lawyer

Timing matters. You should contact Batey Law:

• As soon as discrimination, harassment, or retaliation begins
• Immediately after termination or forced resignation
• Before signing anything HR gives you—including severance, write-ups, or “final warnings”
• If you believe your rights may be violated but aren’t sure

Early legal intervention can prevent employer manipulation, preserve your claims, and maximize your chances of success.

Your Workplace Justice Starts Here

When your career, reputation, or financial stability is under attack, the employment lawyer you choose becomes one of the most important decisions you will make. Workplace injustice is not just frustrating—it can be life-altering. And employers often count on workers feeling too overwhelmed, intimidated, or unsure to fight back.

If you’re searching for an “employment lawyer near me” in Bingham Farms, you can trust Attorney Scott Batey to take a firm, unyielding stand on your behalf. Scott is widely recognized for his direct, fearless advocacy and nearly 30 years of experience protecting Michigan workers. He holds employers accountable when they discriminate, harass, retaliate, or wrongfully terminate the people they depend on.

Whether you’ve faced unlawful treatment, been pushed out of your job, denied medical leave, punished for speaking up, or simply know something isn’t right, Batey Law is ready to fight for you. With precision, strategy, and a relentless pursuit of justice, Scott ensures your voice is heard and your rights are enforced.

Contact Batey Law Firm, PLLC

Batey Law Firm, PLLC
30200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 400
Bingham Farms, MI 48025

Phone: 248-540-6800
Website: www.bateylaw.com
Email: sbatey@bateylaw.com