Get the Redemption You Deserve With Support From a Michigan Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Losing your job due to wrongful termination is one of the worst things that can happen. Your livelihood is suddenly gone. There’s no sure way to pay those piling bills. And worst of all, you lost your job for reporting a safety hazard that management wanted to keep quiet. It’s unjust.

You don’t have to stand for it, but Punchwork Law will stand for you.

Our speciality is employment law, including your wrongful termination case, which happens when you lose your job for reasons that are unfair and unlawful.

Our team is composed of seasoned Michigan wrongful termination lawyers willing to represent your case and make sure you get the compensation and justice you rightfully deserve.

Want to call us up? Contact Punchwork Law in Michigan. We’re ready to get started.

If you need some more info on wrongful termination and what we can do to help make your case, read on below:

What Counts as Wrongful Termination?

Like most states in the US, Michigan is an “at-will” employment state. This means that employers can terminate you for nearly any reason. However, according to federal and state laws, there are exceptions that they can’t violate. When they do violate these few exclusions, that’s when they’ve committed “wrongful termination.”

When Employers Commit Wrongful Termination

A Michigan employer can’t fire their employee for reasons that break federal or state law, violate public policy, or ignore the terms of their employment contract. Some common examples of wrongful termination are:

Discrimination: It is illegal to commit job termination based on an employee’s identity, whether it be their race, color, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, or other protected classifications. This is to ensure equal work opportunities under the law. A specific scenario would be an older worker getting fired so a company can hire someone younger, just because he’s old.
Retaliation: If an employee complains about harassment, reports unsafe working conditions, or takes legally protected leave from their job, firing that person in retaliation is unlawful.
Breach of Contract: Some jobs involve written contracts, union agreements, or implied promises of termination terms in company handbooks. If an employer fires you in a way that breaches the terms of these documents, it can be considered wrongful termination.
Public Policy Violation: It is illegal for employers to terminate you for things like declining to break the law when told to, for serving on a jury, or exercising your rights like filing for workers’ comp.

When a Case Isn’t Wrongful Termination

Unfortunately, there are times when getting fired isn’t always going to be a case of wrongful termination. This is because there is a difference between unfair and illegal. If you’re fired over a personal conflict, disagreement, or even favoritism, believe us, we feel that’s unjust, too.

However, the law doesn’t agree. Those are examples of unfair but not illegal terminations. A wrongful termination needs evidence that your firing violated the law or an enforceable agreement, like a written or signed employment agreement. When your employer breaks a law or a clause in your contract with them, that’s when you can argue a case of wrongful termination.

Talk to Punchwork Law and you’ll get advice from a Michigan wrongful termination attorney. They’ll verify your case to see if it’s strong enough to pursue. Contact us today for a free consultation with our experts in Michigan wrongful termination law.

Michigan Wrongful Termination Laws & Protections

In addition to knowing what fits within the definition of wrongful termination, it’s good to know what employment laws are in place in your state to protect your rights as a worker. Here are some of the various federal and state laws that protect you from wrongful termination:

Federal Employment Protections

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibits companies from terminating employees based on race, color, national origin, or religion:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Protects employees with disabilities from discrimination and requires companies to offer reasonable accommodations if the employee needs them.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prevents employees aged 40 and older from being fired due to their age.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Ensures job protections for employees who take qualified medical or family leave.

Michigan Employment Laws

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act: Extends anti-discrimination protections for Michigan workers, covering characteristics like race, color, religion, sex, height, weight, age, familial status, and marital status.
Whistleblowers’ Protection Act: Prevents employers from firing employees who report legal violations, unsafe practices, and unethical workplace conduct.
Workers’ Compensation Retaliation Laws: These laws stop employers from terminating employees for filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Altogether, these laws ensure you’re not treated as disposable labor. However, proving any one of them was violated can be difficult without proper knowledge and experience. Plus, there are other laws that overlap with them, and deadlines to file a proper claim can be strict.

That’s why working with a team of legal professionals who are familiar with both federal and Michigan wrongful termination law is crucial. At Punchwork Law, we’ll help protect your rights by enforcing these laws and proving your employers had breached them in the event of your firing.

When You Want to File a Wrongful Termination Claim

Once we’ve verified that you have a strong wrongful termination case, the next steps are simple, but can take time. Here’s what we’ll help you do to file a wrongful termination claim against your employer:

Work with a Lawyer: Legal representation will help ensure success for your case and save you time as you deal with the aftermath of a job loss. Punchwork Law’s Michigan wrongful termination lawyers will assist with every step of your case and keep you updated on the situation throughout.
File with Authorities: Either you or your legal representative will investigate and build evidence for your case, then file a charge with either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
Await Response: Make sure to file with the EEOC within 180-300 days of your termination or 180 days with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Once filed, you will then have to wait for them to respond. This can take time. However, Punchwork Law can help expedite the process.

File Your Lawsuit: Once you get a response, usually called a “right to sue” letter, you and your lawyer can pursue a wrongful termination case against your employers.

Why Choose Our Michigan Wrongful Termination Law Firm?

Dealing with a wrongful termination case on your own isn’t just frustrating to no end. It’s also a burden most people aren’t equipped to handle. That’s why, when you know you have a solid case in your hands, work with an experienced Michigan wrongful termination law firm like Punchwork Law.

Of course, the next question you might ask is why? Why choose our firm over others?

That’s a fair thing to ask. Here are some of the reasons we think you should consider us:

No-Risk Consultation: To start, talk with us, and we’ll listen without judgment. Every first meeting we take is a free consultation where we’ll fully hear out your situation and concerns. To us, you’re not another case to file or name on a chart. You’re a person going through a tough situation, and we’re here to see if we can use our expertise to help.
Real, Genuine Representation: Once we’re on a case with you, the connection and communication are ongoing. When we talk, we’ll always use clear, honest terms — no legal jargon or confusing terms. Instead, you’ll always be in the loop and given your place as part of the team.
Fierce Opposition: For our clients, we remain loyal and supportive. But for those who wrongfully terminated you? We make every effort to ensure they respect your employment rights and that they properly compensate you for the financial difficulties and suffering their illegal actions have caused. We believe in equality and fairness at every level, and fight to make sure that is included for you.

Need more information about our firm? Contact Punchwork Law. We’re ready to chat and tell you more about what makes us stand out in Michigan wrongful termination law.