Detroit Whistleblower Protection Act Attorney

You stood up for what was right—and now, you’re paying the price.

Maybe you reported unsafe conditions at an auto plant. Maybe you exposed financial misconduct at your company. Or maybe you spoke out about discrimination or abuse inside a Detroit government office or healthcare facility.

Instead of being thanked for your integrity, you were punished for it. Suddenly, your boss stopped returning your calls. You were left off meetings. Demoted. Written up. Or worse—fired.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Across Detroit, countless employees are retaliated against for speaking the truth. The emotional toll is real—fear, betrayal, humiliation, and the stress of wondering if you’ll ever work again.

At Marko Law, we see it every day—and we fight for people like you.

We’re a Detroit-based civil rights and employment law firm dedicated to defending truth-tellers. Our founder, Attorney Jon Marko, has built his career standing up for employees who were punished for doing the right thing. Recognized nationally as a National Law Journal “Employment & Discrimination Law Trailblazer,” Jon has secured record-breaking verdicts, including an $11.6 million victory against the Michigan Department of Corrections—the largest intact employment discrimination verdict in Michigan history.

If you’ve been retaliated against for blowing the whistle, Marko Law is ready to fight back. Because in Detroit, we believe doing the right thing should never destroy your career.

Understanding the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA)

Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) exists for one reason: to protect people who speak up when they see something wrong. The law shields employees from retaliation when they report, or plan to report, a violation of law or regulation.

This protection applies to both public and private sector employees—from auto industry workers and educators to healthcare professionals and government staff.

Key protections under the WPA include:

• Employers cannot fire, demote, suspend, or discipline you for reporting illegal conduct.
• You’re protected whether you report internally (to a manager, supervisor, or HR) or externally (to law enforcement, regulators, or state agencies).
• You have a strict 90-day deadline to file a claim after the retaliatory act occurs.

The WPA gives Detroit workers the power to act without fear—but timing is critical.

For official guidance, see the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan.gov Civil Rights Law page.

At Marko Law, we make sure your voice doesn’t get buried. Because you shouldn’t have to choose between your job and your conscience.

Examples of Whistleblower Retaliation in Detroit Workplaces

Retaliation isn’t always obvious. It can be quiet, calculated, and devastating. Here’s what it often looks like in Detroit workplaces:

• Wrongful termination after reporting fraud, harassment, or illegal activity.
• Sudden demotion or pay cuts with no explanation.
• Exclusion from meetings or projects you once led.
• Hostile work environments designed to make you quit.
• Unfair discipline or blacklisting when you apply for other jobs.
• Negative references that sabotage your career.

We’ve seen retaliation in every corner of Detroit’s workforce—city departments, hospitals, manufacturing plants, schools, and tech startups. No matter the setting, the pattern is the same: speak up, suffer the consequences.

But that’s where we come in.

If you’ve been silenced, sidelined, or fired for standing up, you have rights. You have power. And with Marko Law on your side—you have backup.

How to Prove a Whistleblower Retaliation Claim in Michigan

Winning a whistleblower retaliation case under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) requires proving that your employer punished you for doing the right thing. It’s not always easy—employers rarely admit retaliation outright—but strong evidence and experienced legal advocacy can expose the truth.

To succeed under the WPA, you must establish three essential elements:

1. You engaged in a protected activity.
   This means you reported—or were about to report—a legal violation to a public body, supervisor, or agency. Even if you didn’t make the report yet but clearly intended to, you’re still protected under Michigan law.
2. Your employer knew or suspected you did.
   You must show that your employer was aware—or reasonably believed—you reported misconduct. Retaliation can’t happen if they didn’t know, so proving awareness is key.
3. You were retaliated against because of it.
   Finally, you must connect your whistleblowing to the punishment—whether it was a firing, demotion, harassment, or other form of workplace retaliation. Timing often speaks volumes; if retaliation happened shortly after your report, that’s a red flag.

Evidence That Strengthens Your Case

Building a successful claim often depends on what you can prove, not just what you know. Helpful evidence includes:

• Emails, text messages, or memos showing hostility or threats after your report.
• Witness testimony from coworkers or supervisors who saw or heard retaliatory behavior.
• HR or personnel records revealing sudden changes in performance evaluations, job duties, or disciplinary actions.
• Meeting notes or correspondence showing a shift in treatment following your report.

Retaliation isn’t always immediate or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a slow pattern—being excluded from meetings, overlooked for promotions, or suddenly “under review” for no reason. Michigan law recognizes that these smaller acts, taken together, can still violate the WPA.

What Damages You Can Recover Under the Whistleblower Protection Act

When you suffer retaliation for doing the right thing, the damage goes far beyond a lost paycheck. The law allows you to seek full compensation for what you’ve endured—and to make sure your employer pays for their misconduct.

Under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act, you may be entitled to recover:

• Lost wages and benefits – Including back pay, overtime, bonuses, and lost benefits resulting from retaliation.
• Emotional distress damages – For the humiliation, anxiety, and mental suffering caused by wrongful treatment.
• Attorney’s fees and litigation costs – The law allows recovery of your legal expenses, so you aren’t forced to shoulder the financial burden.
• Punitive damages – When the employer’s behavior is especially egregious or malicious. (See Cornell Law’s explanation of punitive damages.)
• Job reinstatement or front pay – You may be reinstated to your former position, or awarded future pay if returning isn’t possible due to hostility or retaliation.

At Marko Law, we’ve helped clients recover not only financially, but emotionally—restoring their confidence, their careers, and their reputations after being silenced for telling the truth.

What to Do If You Suspect Retaliation

If you think your employer is retaliating against you, act immediately. Michigan’s 90-day filing deadline under the Whistleblower Protection Act is one of the shortest in the nation. Waiting even a few weeks could cost you your entire case.

Here’s what you should do right now:

1. Don’t resign without legal advice.
   Quitting may harm your ability to bring a claim or recover damages. Talk to an attorney before taking any action.
2. Collect all documents, texts, and performance records.
   Preserve every email, message, memo, or meeting note that could show retaliation. Save copies at home—not just on work systems.
3. Keep a detailed timeline of events.
   Write down every incident, including dates, people involved, and what happened. Small details can make a big difference later.
4. Contact a Detroit whistleblower attorney immediately.
   Because the WPA’s 90-day window is strict, time is of the essence. The sooner you contact an attorney, the faster they can investigate, secure evidence, and protect your rights.

Retaliation is not just wrong—it’s illegal. And in Detroit, you don’t have to face it alone.

At Marko Law, we’ve helped employees across Michigan—from auto plants and hospitals to city offices—stand up to powerful employers and win. When your integrity is on the line, we’re in your corner every step of the way.

You Spoke Up. They Retaliated. Now It’s Time to Fight Back.

When you take a stand against wrongdoing, you should be protected—not punished. Yet too many honest workers across Detroit find themselves targeted after exposing fraud, discrimination, or misconduct. Retaliation can destroy careers, families, and futures—but it doesn’t have to destroy yours.

At Marko Law, we stand with whistleblowers across Detroit and throughout Michigan who’ve been punished for doing the right thing. We’ve taken on state agencies, major corporations, and city governments—and won. Our record-breaking verdicts and fearless litigation have sent a clear message: truth-tellers in Michigan will not be silenced.

You don’t have to face retaliation alone. Our team will fight for your career, your reputation, and your peace of mind. We’ll help you understand your rights under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act and hold your employer accountable for violating them.

📞 Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
Phone: +1-313-777-7777
Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: www.markolaw.com