When you work for a company and learn that your employer is engaging in unethical, unlawful or dangerous actions, you have a right to call attention to the issue without fearing your employer taking adverse action against you because of it. The government encourages your “blowing the whistle” about wrongdoing. This is why you may have protections at both the state and federal levels after doing so.
Per Michigan.gov, Michigan’s whistleblower protections cover both public and private employees.
Michigan Whistleblower’s Protection Act protections
The Michigan Whistleblower’s Protection Act asserts that your employer may not fire, threaten or discriminate against you in any way because you reported wrongdoing or a violation of local, state or federal laws. It also dictates that Michigan employers may not terminate, threaten or discriminate against you because you participate in an investigation, public hearing, inquiry or court action relating to the matter.
Michigan Whistleblower’s Protection Act enforcement
If your employer failed to adhere to the terms of the Michigan Whistleblower’s Protection Act, you have a limited window in which to report the violation. You have 90 days in which to bring a civil action against your employer in a Michigan circuit court. If the court determines that your employer’s actions violated the act, he or she may face fines. Your employer may also have to pay you back pay for lost wages. He or she may also have to pay actual damages or reinstate fringe benefits or seniority rights, among other possible repercussions.
This information is specific to Michigan state whistleblower laws, However, you may also have whistleblower protections in place at the federal level.