Has anyone ever been involved in a lawsuit with being laid off or fired for getting a single wage garnishment?
September 7th, 2010
It is against the law to be fired or laid off for getting your wages garnished. I know that if you have more then one then they can. I have done research and employees are protected under a certain law. I live in the state of Michigan. I understand that Michigan is an at will state. Employees can be fired for any reason but they cannot be fired for getting their wages garnished you are protected. I was wondering if anyone has ever been involved in a lawsuit or know of anyone for that reason. I was getting my wages garnished by a creditor. At first my work was taking 100% of my pay. I went to court made payment arrangements and the court ordered them to give me back all of my money but 25%. Which they did. I was pregnant at the time and when I took my maternity leave I could not pay the arrangement. I went back to work and my work got papers to garnish my wages again. They told me if I did not talk with the creditor they would start taking 100% of my pay again. I told them it is only suppose to be 25%. I even gave them a piece of paper from the court, with step by step on how to garnish wages. They did not garnish again. Instead they told me I am not allowed to work there until I take care of the garnishment. They even wrote a letter stating due to the garnishment all of my shifts are taken away and until I show them proof that it is taken care I am not allowed to work there. I told them that I could not pay it off especially if I wasn’t working and the creditor will not accept payment arrangement. I have called a few employment lawyers and they all said it is against the law and I can sue for lost wages and compensation but for me to try and work out the debt or with my employer. I know with lawyers they get paid out of the settlement. I am not looking to get rich off of this and I have never sued anyone in my life. I don’t understand if it is against the law and I have a lawsuit why am I having such a problem. I really would appreciate if you don’t respond with comment that say pay your bills. I understand that I did this to myself by letting my debt go but I didn’t deserve to be basically fired for getting my wages garnished. I have 3 children and its hard enough to find a job. I worked there for 3 years and no I am not on welfare .
I talked to a few employment lawyers they all said it is against the law and I have a case but to try and work it out.