The Employment and Social Security Disability Blog

Sexual harassment comes in many forms: Speak out

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Employment Law on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

When you're dealing with a peer's or superior's unwanted advances, it can be hard to want to do your work. You might feel scared, angry or frustrated by the situation. It can be embarrassing not to be able to put a stop to the behaviors that are bothering you.

Whether you're 16 or 56, being harassed on the job is unacceptable. Regardless of who does it, you have protections that are given to you through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It's your right to report this behavior and to take steps to put a stop to it.

Can skin conditions qualify for Social Security Disability?

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, August 6, 2020.

You were working with your cleaning crew when you started to notice changes in your skin. You felt like you must have been chemical burned, but even after a few days, the area didn't get better.

Over time, the once-small rash began to grow. It spread all over, and then it began turning into lesions. Today, you're being treated for a staph infection that went out of control, but you can barely move. You may have to go through amputations and don't know what the outcome is going to be.

Watch out for these 3 signs of discrimination

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Employment Law on Friday, July 24, 2020.

It's not always easy to find out if you're being discriminated against or if your supervisor or coworkers simply don't like you. When someone doesn't like you, they may not treat you fairly, and it may have nothing to do with how you look or other aspects about you.

There are some signs of discrimination that are different compared to situations where someone is just being mean to you, though. Here are three signs of discrimination that you should watch out for.

Can you work on disability?

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

When you live with a disability, it can be hard to live comfortably. You might be trying to work as much as you can, even if it's not much at all so that you can try to support yourself.

It's certainly a tough position to be in, and if you haven't been approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits yet, you may be worried that working will disqualify you. The good news is that working doesn't necessarily disqualify you as long as you're not making more than the program allows.

Yes, men could become victims of sexual harassment at work, too

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Employment Law on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Though it isn't discussed as much as it should be, men can absolutely be victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. In fact, a report from 2018 showed that men accounted for around one in five complaints about workplace sexual harassment in the United States.

One man described his experience. He claims that the harassment started out as a game. The other person, one of the only others in the building with him, continued until it was no longer a joke. He filed a lawsuit against his employer for allowing the harassment to continue.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability: Chronic heart failure

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, June 12, 2020.

You have been dealing with cardiovascular issues for a while now, living with heart failure. You've decided that it's getting harder to work, so you want to go onto Social Security Disability.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits isn't as easy as it may seem. Having a condition like yours isn't an automatic guarantee that you'll be approved to receive benefits, either.

Should you be paid more if you work over 40 hours a week?

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Employment Law on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

You work in construction, which means that it's important for you to understand the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, or CWHSSA. This is a basic act that requires all subcontractors and contractors to pay their mechanics and laborers, guards and watchmen one-half times their base pay for any hours worked over 40 in one workweek.

This is important because investing over 40 hours of your time into a company's work should come with that extra pay. The CWHSSA applies to federal construction and service contracts that are over $150,000. It may also apply to federally assisted construction contracts if they are valued at over $100,000.

GUIDANCE ON GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-77

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Labor Law on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-77 on Thursday, May 7, 2020, updating the current stay at home" order by adding certain provisions for in-person work activities and adding certain Employee groups which can return to work. The Governor's EO 2020-70, issued on May 1, 2020, added construction and real estate activities to the list of industries that may be resumed for in-person activities, under certain lengthy conditions. EO 2020-77 added manufacturing to that list, including Employees necessary to perform the "start-up" activities for manufacturing, as of May 11, 2020. Workers necessary to train, credential, and license first responders and health care workers, and workers needed to support the supply chain and distributions of businesses that are in operation, were also added in EO 2020-77.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be a disability

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Social Security Disability benefits can be extremely helpful to people who have suffered a life-changing disability and cannot work. Social Security Disability benefits provide you and your family members benefits if you've worked long enough and paid into the Social Security system, but you must qualify for the benefits.

When you have a complicated physical disability, that's easy to show. It's not as easy, however, to show that you have a mental health-related disability. Just the same, disability benefits can be given to people who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder if the condition is severe enough to stop them from being able to work.

How long should you wait to complain about harassment?

On behalf of Bruce Miller of Miller Cohen, PLC posted in Employment Law on Friday, May 1, 2020.

You were starting your first day of work when you met the person who would be training you. They were nice to you, and you felt comfortable asking questions and getting to know your position.

Then, at lunch, you overheard something you wished you wouldn't have. They were talking to another new co-worker about how hot you were and how they'd like to "mess around" with you. The other person laughed at how you were only hired for your looks.