James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 21, 2023

If you believe that a company is attempting to trademark your name without your consent, you should consult with a trademark attorney to assess the situation and explore potential legal actions. Trademarks are typically granted for commercial use, so if you're not using your name in a way that... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 17, 2023

Procedure for federal trademark registration includes publication after approved by the examining attorney, then a 30 day period in which formal oppositions may be filed. The opposer is given an opportunity to assert priority of use to that of the applicant. Even if you don't ultimately... View More

T. Augustus Claus Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 14, 2023

In Michigan, your employer generally cannot unilaterally cut your pay rate for not giving a two-week notice, especially for hours you've already worked. Pay rates are typically determined when you're hired or through negotiations, and reductions usually require prior written agreement.... View More

Potentially. Understand that an employer doesn't need to prove anything to fire you. They could take the position that your boyfriend had no other business being there but for you, and as a manager, you're held to a higher standard. Will they do it depends on a whole host of variables. It... View More

Absent a contract, you are generally considered in Michigan to be an "at-will" employee, meaning you or your employer may sever the relationship at any time for any reason. Put simply, you are not entitled to work, making this employer's actions quite likely legal if not a bit... View More

Using a job applicant's criminal background as a method for screening job candidates is problematic unless there is a specific law or legal regulation that disqualifies a person based upon specific criminal conduct. In many instances, prophylactic use of arrest and conviction records can be a... View More

Yes, this is legal. According to the US Department of Labor, FMLA law permits an employee to elect to use accrued paid vacation leave. In addition, the law permits employers to require the employee to use paid time off for some or all of the FMLA leave period. So while FMLA applies to unpaid leave,... View More

In short, yes. PTO and FMLA are not mutually exclusive. FMLA covers longer terms of leave for which you are ensured 1) your job upon your return, and 2) continued health insurance coverage. In relevant part, FMLA means you can't be fired or lose insurance coverage for protected periods of... View More

Maybe. But, it depends largely on whether or not you have a written contract with fixed employment terms within it.

It can be a little complicated (for the employer) when it comes to eligibility for health insurance, UIA, or other things, but generally, at will employees serve at the will... View More

I think you need to address your concerns to your current CEO. Your CEO may be unaware that what she's asking you to do is unlawful, and will hopefully appreciate you bringing this to her attention. She may also know it is permissible and be able to explain to you why it is. Either way, your... View More

Had the employer not called an ambulance it might be a wildly different situation and then you might have a cause of action against them. If it helps, imagine if you called an ambulance on behalf of someone, and they asked you to pay for it for simply making a phone call. That could serve as a... View More

Ways to resolve: 1) speak to your employer about this concern, letting them know how long it would take you to be ready for the day. 2) Failing that, consider whether an extra 10 minutes a day is worth losing out on a job.

I think you have a legitimate concern, don't get me wrong. I... View More

Probably limited. Even if you can prove the test was wrong (you'd have to get your own independent test), there's nothing to make them hire you again. You may want to pursue an appeal to the UIA to see what they say.

Best thing to do would be to call your local legal aid office and let them tell you whether it's something they would accept.

Generally, legal aid offices do not take "fee generating" cases. Think cases that lawyers would typically take on a contingency fee basis; yours is... View More

You may be able to work with an employment law attorney on a contingency basis, meaning that if you win the case or are able to settle, the lawyer's fees come out of the money awarded to you, but if you lose in court, you don’t owe the lawyer any fees. You may have a case that a... View More

This will likely depend on the length of the delay in receiving the payment. Generally, employers can change their payroll schedule without notice (ex. changing pay date from Mondays to Fridays), but there may be payment deadlines imposed by Michigan state law that your employer cannot exceed.

Really hard to say given the limited facts.

Generally, absent a contract or a union agreement, employment in Michigan is "at will". There is limited protection against firing, but retaliation may be a legitimate issue to address. Your problem, though, may be that by your account,... View More

The analysis may need to begin with the question - did you obtain a Title VII religious exemption from an employer's vaccination mandate? If so, the next question would be whether singling you out for testing may be a form of harassment or retaliation and not the required accommodation under... View More

I don't believe there is anything suspect about this procedure, more information could tip the scales. The EEOC has published guidance on this and on mandatory vaccinations.

I would be curious to hear what an infectious disease physician would say. But from my perspective, on the... View More

That's an interesting question, and possibly. Michigan does offer protection, via statute, from weight discrimination. An Oklahoma company, operating in Michigan, might fit under Michigan protections. It might not though.