Whistleblower Law Detroit

You did the right thing. You spoke up when something was wrong — corruption, fraud, or illegal activity. You followed your conscience. But now, your job, your reputation, and your peace of mind are under attack.

You shouldn’t have to choose between your integrity and your paycheck. Yet too many brave Detroit workers find themselves punished for exposing wrongdoing in the workplace.

Here’s the truth: Whistleblowers are protected under Michigan and federal law. Employers cannot legally fire, demote, or harass you for reporting illegal conduct. And if they do, you have the right to fight back — and win.

At Marko Law, we stand with the truth-tellers. We are a Detroit-based civil rights and employment law firm dedicated to protecting employees who speak out against injustice, fraud, or corruption.

Led by trial attorney Jon Marko, our firm has earned a reputation for fearless advocacy in high-stakes cases — featured on CNN, the Detroit Free Press, and MLive for exposing workplace retaliation and misconduct.
➡️ See our Verdicts.

“At Marko Law, we fight hard — and we don’t back down. Telling the truth should never cost you your future.”

If your employer has retaliated against you for doing what’s right, you’re not alone — and you have rights.

Understanding Whistleblower Law in Michigan

A whistleblower is any employee who reports — or refuses to participate in — illegal, unsafe, or unethical conduct by an employer, supervisor, or coworker.

Michigan’s whistleblower laws exist to protect honesty, fairness, and public safety. When a worker exposes wrongdoing, the law ensures they won’t lose their job or livelihood in the process.

The Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (WPA)

Under the Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (MCL 15.361 et seq.), it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee who:

• Reports or is about to report a violation of law to a public body (such as law enforcement, a government agency, or a court).
• Refuses to engage in illegal activity.
• Participates in an investigation or testifies in a legal proceeding.

The law applies to both public and private employees throughout Michigan — including Detroit city workers, healthcare professionals, educators, and corporate employees.

Employers cannot demote, fire, harass, or otherwise punish you for doing your legal duty to report wrongdoing. If they do, they can be held accountable for lost wages, reinstatement, and emotional damages.

Federal Whistleblower Protections

In addition to state law, several federal laws also protect employees who report misconduct, including:

• OSHA Whistleblower Protection Program – for workers who report unsafe conditions, environmental violations, or workplace hazards.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) – for employees who expose accounting fraud or securities violations in publicly traded companies.
• False Claims Act (FCA) – for whistleblowers who uncover fraud against the U.S. government, such as false billing or misuse of public funds.

Each law has its own unique procedures, time limits, and filing requirements. Missing a deadline or filing incorrectly can cost you your rights. That’s why it’s critical to have experienced attorneys like Marko Law on your side — lawyers who know the law, the process, and how to win.

Common Forms of Whistleblower Retaliation

Retaliation is rarely subtle — and it’s always illegal. When employers feel threatened by the truth, they often strike back against those who expose it.

Here’s what retaliation can look like in Detroit workplaces:

• Wrongful termination or forced resignation after reporting misconduct.
• Sudden demotion or pay cuts designed to punish or humiliate.
• Exclusion from meetings, projects, or promotions — cutting you off from career advancement.
• Reassignment to undesirable shifts or locations.
• Threats, intimidation, or harassment from supervisors or coworkers.
• Negative performance reviews after years of stellar evaluations.
• Blacklisting or defamation that damages your future job prospects.

Employers often try to disguise retaliation as “restructuring,” “budget cuts,” or “performance management.” Don’t be fooled. If the timing of the retaliation followed your report, that’s evidence — and the law is on your side.

In many cases, retaliation also violates federal civil rights laws, such as:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees from retaliation after reporting discrimination or harassment.
• The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Michigan’s landmark anti-discrimination statute, which also shields employees from punishment for opposing unlawful practices.

Whether you reported financial misconduct, unsafe conditions, or discrimination, retaliation is not just wrong — it’s unlawful.

At Marko Law, we’ve seen every tactic employers use to silence truth-tellers — and we know exactly how to stop them.

Whistleblower Cases We Handle in Detroit

Detroit is a city built on hard work, integrity, and resilience — but when corruption or misconduct threatens those values, it’s often courageous employees who step forward to protect what’s right. At Marko Law, we represent whistleblowers across all industries — from factory floors to corporate boardrooms — who’ve been punished for telling the truth.

Here are the most common types of whistleblower cases we handle in Detroit:

Public Sector and City Government

Government employees who report corruption, misuse of taxpayer funds, or illegal contracts within Detroit’s city departments or agencies are protected under state and federal law. Whether you work for the City of Detroit, Wayne County, or a state agency, you have a right to speak up without fear of retaliation.

Healthcare and Hospitals

Detroit’s healthcare workers — nurses, billing staff, physicians, and administrators — often uncover Medicare or Medicaid fraud, unsafe patient care, or falsified medical records. Reporting these violations not only protects patients, but also taxpayers and the integrity of Michigan’s healthcare system.

Automotive and Manufacturing

In Detroit’s world-renowned auto and manufacturing industry, employee safety and product integrity are critical. Marko Law represents workers who report OSHA violations, unsafe working conditions, or attempts to hide product defects or environmental violations. These cases can save lives — and hold powerful corporations accountable.

Education and Public Schools

Teachers, administrators, and school staff play a vital role in ensuring safe and lawful education environments. When they report discrimination, bullying, or financial misuse, they deserve protection — not punishment. Marko Law stands with educators across Detroit and Wayne County who face retaliation for putting students first.

Finance and Corporate Employment

Corporate employees who uncover securities fraud, insider trading, or accounting deception are protected under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and Dodd-Frank Act. These laws empower whistleblowers to expose corporate wrongdoing while safeguarding their careers and, in some cases, providing monetary rewards.

For employees reporting discrimination-based retaliation, visit the Michigan Department of Civil Rights for additional resources.

Damages and Compensation for Whistleblowers

When you stand up against wrongdoing, the law stands behind you — and so do we. Whistleblower retaliation can devastate a person’s career, finances, and emotional well-being. That’s why Marko Law fights relentlessly to recover every dollar and every ounce of justice our clients deserve.

If your employer retaliated against you for reporting misconduct, you may be entitled to:

• Lost Wages and Benefits (Back Pay): Compensation for the income, raises, and benefits you lost as a result of retaliation.
• Reinstatement or Front Pay: If returning to your old job isn’t realistic, you may receive compensation for lost future earnings.
• Emotional Distress and Reputational Harm: The anxiety, humiliation, and damage to your professional reputation are compensable under Michigan law.
• Attorney’s Fees and Court Costs: The law allows you to recover your legal expenses — because seeking justice shouldn’t cost you.
• Whistleblower Rewards (Federal Cases): Under the False Claims Act, employees who expose fraud against the government may receive a percentage of the recovered funds — sometimes amounting to millions of dollars.

At Marko Law, we don’t settle for what’s easy — we fight for what’s fair. Whether through negotiation or at trial, our attorneys are relentless in holding wrongdoers accountable and securing full justice for Michigan whistleblowers.

Protecting Detroit’s Truth-Tellers

Doing the right thing should never cost you your career — but when it does, Marko Law stands ready to fight back.

Whistleblowers are the voice of integrity in our workplaces and communities. You protect public safety, expose corruption, and shine a light on the truth. And when that courage is met with retaliation, our firm steps in to protect you.

At Marko Law, we give whistleblowers the strength, resources, and voice they deserve. We’ve built our reputation on taking on powerful employers, government agencies, and corporations — and winning.

But Michigan law gives you limited time to act. Evidence fades. Deadlines pass. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your rights, your career, and your name.

“Michigan law gives you limited time to act — don’t wait to protect your rights.”

You stood up for what’s right. Now let us stand up for you.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com