Michigan
Overview
Please review the information below as well as the information on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page and then return to the workplace harassment prevention course tab.
Harassment and discrimination based on a protected characteristic are prohibited under both federal and state law. The federal government and most state governments have agencies that help employers and employees understand these legal requirements and ensure compliance with the laws.
Protected Characteristics
Harassment or discrimination based on any characteristic set forth below is prohibited under state law in Michigan.
Michigan
race (including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists that are historically associated with race)
color
national origin
sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions)
gender identity*
sexual orientation*
age
disability
genetic information
height
familial or marital status
religion
weight
- arrest record
*The Michigan Civil Rights Commission interprets the prohibition against discrimination based on “sex” to include discrimination because of gender identity and sexual orientation. See Michigan Civil Rights Commission Interpretive Statement 2018-1; MCRC June 15, 2020 Press Release.
Applicable Laws
Michigan
The primary state laws prohibiting employment discrimination, including harassment, are the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the People with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.
Filing a Claim in Michigan
An employment discrimination or harassment claim may be filed with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, depending on the employer’s size and the protected characteristic on which the claim is based. More information on federal law prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment is available on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page.
Retaliation Prohibited
Employer retaliation against an employee who files a discrimination or harassment complaint or is involved in the complaint process is unlawful.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.
It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.