[MI] How do I formally document and submit a harassment complaint against my supervisor?

MI Employment

Gurney P

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In Michigan, especially in Oakland County, a harassment complaint becomes much stronger when it’s detailed, consistent, and shows that HR was notified early. Since you’ve already spoken to HR once, sending these three incident letters by email is an excellent next step to protect yourself.

When you submit the complaint, make sure your email is calm, factual, and attach your three incident letters. HR looks for clear patterns, so you want your documentation to show:

Dates
Specific behaviors
Witness names
How the behavior impacted your work

You do not need video or recordings — coworker witnesses are valid and often enough to trigger an internal investigation.

Your email should include:

That this is a formal harassment complaint
A brief summary of the supervisor’s behavior
A note that witnesses exist and can confirm the events
A request for HR to investigate and respond in writing

Once you submit this, the company has a legal duty to investigate. If they retaliate (cutting shifts, changing duties, disciplining you, isolating you), that becomes a separate violation and can significantly strengthen your position.

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Full Conversation

I am about to submit a harassment complaint form via email.

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand that submitting a harassment complaint can be a stressful process. Have you already gathered all the necessary evidence to support your complaint?

The only evidence is coworkers that were witnesses to this

Lexi, Chatbot

What specific type of harassment are you experiencing?

Harassment by a supervisor — intimidation, belittling, aggressive nonverbal cues.

Gurney P

Welcome and thank you for your questions. I’m @GurneyP, and I'm ready to draw on my years of experience as an attorney and former prosecutor to offer some guidance. Please keep in mind: This chat does not create an attorney-client relationship, but I am here with you and writing up a very thorough answer that should only take 3–5 minutes.

Have you already spoken to HR or anyone else at your company about this situation, or will this email be your first formal complaint?

I have spoken to HR. This will be the start of my paper trail.

Gurney P

I see, ok. Can you tell me which state or country your workplace is located in?

I have 3 incident letters ready to submit via email to HR.

MI, Oakland County.

Gurney P

Thank you for clarifying, and you’re doing the right thing by creating a clean, written record.

Gurney P

When you submit the complaint, make sure your email is calm, factual, and attach your three incident letters. HR looks for clear patterns, so you want your documentation to show:

Dates
Specific behaviors
Witness names
How the behavior impacted your work

You do not need video or recordings — coworker witnesses are valid and often enough to trigger an internal investigation.

Your email should include:

That this is a formal harassment complaint
A brief summary of the supervisor’s behavior
A note that witnesses exist and can confirm the events
A request for HR to investigate and respond in writing

Gurney P

13,616 satisfied customers

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