Workplace Discrimination Lawyer Royal Oak MI

Workplace Lawyer Royal Oak MI

If you’re dealing with harassment, discrimination, or retaliation at work, the law is on your side—but navigating it without expert help can be overwhelming. That’s where a workplace lawyer comes in.

A workplace lawyer—also known as an employment law attorney—is your legal advocate when you’ve been mistreated, wrongfully terminated, or denied your rights on the job. Whether it’s negotiating a severance agreement, filing a lawsuit for discrimination, or fighting retaliation for reporting harassment, a workplace lawyer is there to protect you, not your employer.

At Batey Law Firm, we’ve spent more than 25 years doing exactly that. We represent employees only—never employers—and we know how to hold companies accountable for illegal or unethical treatment of their workers. Our motto is simple and powerful: “Batey Law Is Employment Law.”

We bring deep expertise and focused representation to workers across Royal Oak, MI, a city known for its dynamic mix of:

• Corporate offices and tech startups
• Medical and healthcare providers
• Retail, food service, and hospitality businesses
• Creative industries and freelance professionals

These industries each have unique legal challenges—from underpayment and overwork in restaurants, to discrimination in corporate hierarchies, to contract issues for creative freelancers. No matter your role or employer, if you’ve been treated unfairly, you have rights—and we’re here to enforce them.

Types of Workplace Issues We Handle in Royal Oak

Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination in the workplace is illegal under both federal law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) and Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. These laws protect you from adverse treatment based on your:

• Race
• Sex or gender
• Age
• Disability
• Religion
• National origin

While some discrimination is blatant, much of it is subtle—like being passed over for promotions, receiving harsher discipline than coworkers, or enduring “jokes” that target your identity.

This is known as disparate treatment, and it’s a legal red flag. We also look for systemic or disparate impact discrimination, where policies or practices unfairly disadvantage certain groups, even if unintentionally.

At Batey Law, we help you gather evidence, file complaints, and take legal action—whether against a small business or a major Royal Oak employer.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unfortunately common across many industries, and Royal Oak is no exception. We frequently assist clients in service, hospitality, healthcare, and corporate environments who experience:

• Quid pro quo harassment: where job opportunities are tied to sexual favors.
• Hostile work environments: where repeated, unwanted sexual comments, touching, or conduct make it difficult to do your job.

Victims often remain silent—especially in creative, close-knit, or male-dominated workplaces—because they fear retaliation or not being believed.

Our firm offers:

• Discreet legal support
• Clear guidance on internal reporting
• Aggressive action to stop the harassment and seek compensation

You do not have to endure workplace harassment alone.

Wrongful Termination

Michigan is an at-will employment state, meaning your employer can generally terminate you for any reason—or no reason—as long as it’s not illegal.

You may have a wrongful termination case if you were fired for:

• Filing a harassment or discrimination complaint
• Blowing the whistle on illegal or unethical practices
• Requesting medical leave or disability accommodations
• Belonging to a protected class (race, age, sex, etc.)

If your firing came suddenly after you spoke up, was paired with false accusations, or followed a complaint to HR, that’s a pattern we know how to fight.

We help clients identify red flags, preserve documentation, and build strong claims that hold employers accountable.

Workplace Retaliation

Retaliation is illegal—but it happens constantly. We see it in subtle forms and blatant acts, including:

• Demotion or reassignment
• Sudden schedule changes or reduction in hours
• Being excluded from meetings or projects
• Termination shortly after speaking up

Whether you reported a safety issue, discrimination, wage theft, or simply requested FMLA leave, you are legally protected from retaliation under both Michigan law and federal statutes like Title VII and the FMLA.

At Batey Law, we act quickly to investigate retaliation claims and seek justice for those who were punished for doing the right thing.

Wage, Overtime & Misclassification Issues

Wage theft is more common than many realize, especially in hourly, tipped, and contract-based jobs. We work with clients in restaurants, salons, healthcare settings, delivery services, and more to fight for unpaid wages and overtime.

Common violations we handle include:

• Unpaid overtime despite working 40+ hours per week
• Being required to work off-the-clock before or after shifts
• Automatic time deductions for breaks never taken
• Being misclassified as an independent contractor or salaried employee to avoid overtime laws

If you’ve been underpaid, overworked, or denied your lawful earnings, you may be entitled to back pay, penalties, and attorney fees.

We pursue these claims aggressively—and we know how to identify the paper trails and patterns that prove your case.

FMLA and ADA Violations

You have a right to medical leave and workplace accommodations under two powerful laws:

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – entitles eligible employees to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for serious health conditions or caregiving.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities.

Unfortunately, many employers—especially in fast-paced or short-staffed workplaces—deny or delay these rights.

Common violations include:

• Firing someone after they request or return from medical leave
• Denying a modified schedule, remote work, or adjusted job duties
• Harassing or demoting employees after they disclose a health condition

At Batey Law, we work to enforce your legal protections, restore your job security, and pursue damages if your rights were violated.

Severance Agreements & Exit Packages

When you’re being let go—especially after a dispute or under pressure—your employer may offer a severance agreement or exit package. These agreements often seem generous on the surface but can include:

• Waivers that prevent you from suing for harassment, discrimination, or retaliation
• Non-compete clauses that limit your ability to find a new job
• NDAs that silence you from ever discussing what happened

Before you sign anything, let Batey Law review the terms.

We help Royal Oak clients:

• Understand their legal rights
• Identify red flags
• Negotiate better severance terms, or
• Pursue legal action if the agreement was coerced or unfair

A strong legal review could mean the difference between walking away with real protection—or signing away your future.

Our Legal Approach: Personal, Focused, and Proven

Personal Attention. No Gatekeepers.

When you call our firm, you speak with the attorney who will actually handle your case. Scott listens carefully to your concerns, explains your legal options in plain language, and works with you to develop a strategy tailored to your unique situation.

Whether your goal is to secure compensation, protect your reputation, or get your job back, we build a legal plan that reflects your priorities—not just what’s easiest to settle.

Custom Legal Strategy. Focused on Your Career and Your Future.

No two workplace disputes are the same. That’s why we take the time to understand:

• Your job history
• The dynamics of your workplace
• Your short- and long-term career goals
• The emotional impact the situation has had on your life

From there, we create a custom legal roadmap—whether that means negotiating a settlement, pursuing administrative action, or preparing for trial.

Proven Results at Every Level

Scott Batey has successfully represented clients:

• In state and federal courts
• Before the EEOC, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and National Labor Relations Board
• In private arbitration and mediation
• At the negotiating table with some of Michigan’s largest employers

We don’t bluff. We don’t back down. We do the hard legal work it takes to get real results.

Empathetic, Respectful Representation

Legal battles can be emotionally draining—especially when your income, health, and reputation are at stake. At Batey Law, we see you as a whole person, not just a plaintiff.

We’re here to help you feel heard, protected, and empowered at every stage. When you work with us, you don’t just gain legal representation—you gain a true advocate who’s on your side and in your corner.

You Deserve Respect, Not Retaliation

At Batey Law Firm, we’ve spent over 25 years helping workers just like you throughout Royal Oak and the greater Metro Detroit area. We understand how intimidating it can be to stand up to your employer. That’s why we stand with you—and fight back on your behalf.

We take on powerful corporations, government agencies, healthcare systems, retailers, and startups—and we don’t blink. Whether it’s behind closed doors or in open court, we fight for justice, compensation, and closure.

You don’t need to figure this out on your own. You don’t need to accept unfair treatment. You just need to call.

Workplace Lawyer Serving Royal Oak, MI

Batey Law Firm, PLLC
📍 30200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 400
Bingham Farms, MI 48025 (just 15 minutes from downtown Royal Oak)

📞 Phone: (248) 540-6800
📧 Email: sbatey@bateylaw.com
🌐 Website: www.bateylaw.com‍