If Michigan is an at-will state, what exceptions protect me from being fired?

At-will employment means a lot, but it doesn't mean "any reason at all." Several important exceptions limit when an employer can let you go.

You may be protected if you were fired:

• Because of your race, sex, age, religion, disability, or other protected status under Elliott-Larsen
• In retaliation for reporting illegal conduct, under Michigan's Whistleblower Protection Act
• For exercising a legal right, like filing a worker's comp claim
• In violation of an employment contract or clearly established company policy

"At-will" is often misunderstood as a blank check for employers, and it isn't one. If your termination felt like it was really about something else, that instinct is worth taking seriously.