Weird Employment Law

Employment law is not always what people expect.  Every day at Gold Star Law, we tell people things about employment law in Michigan and the United States that they did not know.  One of the most common misconceptions is about at-will employment, as many people think that an employer has to have a valid reason to fire you but, under Michigan law, you can usually be fired for any reason or no reason at all as long as it is not an illegal reason.  A lot of people also think that their employer has to give them paid sick time, bereavement leave, or even bathroom breaks- none of which are required under Michigan law!  On the other hand, people who call us often don’t know that they are entitled to overtime pay in some situations, even if they are paid on a salary basis.

While employment law in Michigan and the United States as a whole can be unexpected, some other countries have some VERY different rules when it comes to employment law!  Here are some of the more interesting employment laws from around the world.

-In Japan, employers are required to measure the waistlines of employees between the ages of 45 and 74.  If they exceed a certain size (33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women), employers are directed to give dieting advice!  This is part of an overall government initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles and identify and treat health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic issues.

-In Madagascar, women cannot work at night except in “family establishments.”  This rule even applies to work places such as charities and religious establishments. Similar laws exist in Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Mali.

-Alternatively, in Saudi Arabia, men are prohibited from holding certain jobs- most notably working in women’s lingerie shops!

If you have a question about employment law in Michigan, call Gold Star Law to get some answers!