Ann Arbor Wrongful Termination Lawyer Challenging Unlawful Dismissals

Losing your job can be devastating, more so when the firing feels unfair. While Michigan is an “at-will” employment state, your employer cannot terminate you for an illegal reason.

At my firm, Emily Tyler Law, I help Michigan employees determine if their firing or layoff was a violation of state or federal employment law. Then, I provide the advocacy needed to seek justice.

With almost two decades of experience as an employment law attorney, I know the signs of wrongful dismissal that many companies try to hide. I use this insight to help you reclaim your professional standing after an unlawful discharge.

What Makes A Wrongful Termination Case In Michigan?

A case exists whenever an employer crosses the line from a personality clash or budget cut into illegal conduct. Common grounds for a claim include:

• Discrimination: Facing a discharge based on your race, gender, age, disability, religion or another protected characteristic
• Retaliation: Being laid off or terminated specifically because you reported illegal activity, filed a workers’ compensation claim, or complained about discrimination or harassment
• Breach of contract: Losing your position in a way that violates a written employment agreement or a specific “just cause” provision in your employment contract
• Certain public policy violations: Getting fired for refusing to break the law or for exercising a legal right, such as performing jury duty

Identifying the true motive behind your firing is the first step toward holding your employer accountable.

Observing Filing Deadlines And Seeking Compensation

Timing is vital. If your claim is based on discrimination, you may have as few as 300 days to file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). For some state-level claims, such as a breach of contract, the window can extend up to six years. Because these deadlines can vary based on the specifics of your case, consulting an attorney immediately is important to safeguard your rights.

If you win your case, you may recover significant compensation, including:

• Back pay and front pay: Recovering lost wages from the time you were fired through the date of judgment, and sometimes future earnings
• Lost benefits: Receiving the value of lost health insurance, 401(k) contributions or stock options
• Emotional distress: Obtaining damages for the mental and physical toll of an illegal firing
• Attorney fees: Having the court order the employer to pay your lawyer and legal costs

Calculating the full financial impact of your discharge helps ensure that your claim accounts for both your immediate losses and your long-term career stability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Termination

Losing your job is stressful enough without wondering whether it was legal. If your Michigan employer fired you and you have doubts about the termination, you might wonder about your next actions. Here are three questions about wrongful termination that I commonly address for my clients.

How do Michigan courts evaluate ‘pretext’ when an employer gives a fake reason for firing?

Michigan courts evaluate pretext by looking at whether the employer’s stated reason for firing is the real reason or just a cover for an unlawful motive. In practice, once an employer gives a legitimate reason for the termination, the employee must show that reason is false, did not actually motivate the decision or was not enough to justify the firing.

Courts often look for inconsistencies in the employer’s explanation, shifting reasons over time, unequal treatment compared with similarly situated employees, deviations from normal company policy and weak or unsupported facts behind the stated reason. The key question is not whether the employer made a fair decision, but whether the explanation was honest and credible; if the evidence suggests the reason was fabricated or not the true basis for the termination, a court may find pretext.

What financial damages are recoverable in a Michigan wrongful termination lawsuit?

In a Michigan wrongful termination lawsuit, the financial damages that may be recoverable include lost wages and benefits you would have earned had you not been terminated, such as salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, health insurance coverage, retirement contributions and paid leave.

If you have made reasonable efforts to find new work, you may also recover back pay for the period between your termination and the judgment or settlement, minus any earnings from other employment. In some cases, you may be able to recover front pay, which compensates for future lost earnings if reinstatement is not practical.

Depending on the legal basis for the claim, you may also recover consequential economic losses, such as out-of-pocket expenses caused by the termination.

Does Ann Arbor have local municipal laws prohibiting wrongful termination?

Yes. Chapter 112 of the Ann Arbor City Code strictly prohibits employers operating within Ann Arbor city limits from discharging employees based on protected traits including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, housing status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or protective hairstyles.

Local workers can file an administrative complaint directly with the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission (AAHRC), the city body that helps review and investigate complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, public accommodations and city services. Whether a complaint is accepted can depend on factors like where the conduct occurred, whether the claim falls within the ordinance’s protected categories and whether it is filed within the applicable time limits.

Protect Your Career And Your Livelihood

A wrongful termination can disrupt your life, but it does not have to define your professional future. I provide the high-level strategy and direct communication needed to challenge an unlawful discharge and hold your employer accountable if you were wrongly fired or laid off.

Call my office at 888-610-8317 today or fill out my contact form to schedule your free consultation. Let’s work together to challenge your termination and restore your career.