What is the right to work?

The right to work, enshrined in the Constitution of Michigan and various statutes, is the guarantee of equal access and equal opportunity to gainful employment. This right encompasses a range of job-related protections to ensure that workers can pursue their chosen career without facing discrimination or unlawfully disparate treatment. It guarantees the right to plenty of avenues for pursuing meaningful and gainful employment, but also goes beyond the workplace. The right to work also includes the ability to access educational and training opportunities, the right to engage in meaningful collective bargaining, and the right to receive fair wages and timely payment. Under state and federal law, employers must not discriminate against potential employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex. In the state of Michigan, under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, this protection also extends to sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for making discrimination claims or participating in proceedings. The right to work, ultimately, provides individuals with the opportunity to pursue employment or educational opportunities without discrimination. This right is essential for individuals to be able to take control of their own economic destiny, and ensure that they are not discriminated against for any reason. Through this fundamental right, all children, adults, and families in Michigan can live and work in an environment of fairness, equality, and opportunity.

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What is the right to work?

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