Rachel Mayer
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Michigan
I have filed a claim with the Civil Rights Department and have agreed to participate in mediation scheduled next week. I did not retain an attorney who was willing to take my case because I could not afford the retainer fee. She suggested I try to get as far as I can in mediation before retaining her if I wanted to try to resolve this without any immediate expense to me.
I was working for an insurance agent, had prior insurance experience and had to work my way up to the wage I had been receiving but I only got there after a promotion and putting a year and a half into my tenure there. The agent hired a man, serving in the exact capacity as I was & stated that to me, however, he was paid $2 more per hour than I and had NO prior experience nor any licenses. He later quit but on numerous occasions I advised my employer that he had discriminated against me & violated the unequal pay act. He told me on numerous occasions that if I was not happy I could leave & that the rate of pay that the man was getting was a business decision of his.
I also repeatedly complained to my employer regarding the many sexual comments he would make in the office and how I did not appreciate them & that they were completely inappropriate. He repeatedly choose to continue his behavior without any regard to my feelings.
Finally frustrated after he refused, once again, to pay me adequately or stop his sexual comments, I threatened to go to the civil rights department and file a claim. He fired me.
My question is how much could I expect to receive in damages? What should I go into the mediation asking for. I also have witnesses to all of my claims (former employees, customers, etc). Since he is guilty of violating unequal pay, guilty of sexual harassment and guilty of wrongful termination what is fair to ask for?
Please help.
I have filed a claim with the Civil Rights Department and have agreed to participate in mediation scheduled next week. I did not retain an attorney who was willing to take my case because I could not afford the retainer fee. She suggested I try to get as far as I can in mediation before retaining her if I wanted to try to resolve this without any immediate expense to me.
I was working for an insurance agent, had prior insurance experience and had to work my way up to the wage I had been receiving but I only got there after a promotion and putting a year and a half into my tenure there. The agent hired a man, serving in the exact capacity as I was & stated that to me, however, he was paid $2 more per hour than I and had NO prior experience nor any licenses. He later quit but on numerous occasions I advised my employer that he had discriminated against me & violated the unequal pay act. He told me on numerous occasions that if I was not happy I could leave & that the rate of pay that the man was getting was a business decision of his.
I also repeatedly complained to my employer regarding the many sexual comments he would make in the office and how I did not appreciate them & that they were completely inappropriate. He repeatedly choose to continue his behavior without any regard to my feelings.
Finally frustrated after he refused, once again, to pay me adequately or stop his sexual comments, I threatened to go to the civil rights department and file a claim. He fired me.
My question is how much could I expect to receive in damages? What should I go into the mediation asking for. I also have witnesses to all of my claims (former employees, customers, etc). Since he is guilty of violating unequal pay, guilty of sexual harassment and guilty of wrongful termination what is fair to ask for?
Please help.