Whistleblower is a phrase that is frequently used, especially in major news stories. An employee of the government may expose fraud and corruption, for instance, bringing down powerful figures and sparking a national media frenzy.
Whistleblowing nevertheless takes place on a much lesser scale as well. One might report a variety of unlawful or immoral behaviors. Although it may go unnoticed, it can have a significant effect on the staff members and the local community. For instance, if you work for a manufacturing facility and you report that they are improperly disposing of chemicals, you may be saving countless lives and averting an environmental catastrophe.
You might be concerned about what it means for you personally if you’re thinking about stepping forward as a whistleblower. For instance, you could wish to inform someone that your firm hires illegal immigrants and pays them significantly less than the minimum wage, but you’re afraid that doing so will result in retaliation from your boss.
Keep reading to learn more about your options if you have been the victim of retaliation and then contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 for help.
There are numerous statutes that protect whistleblowers
If Californians report illegal activities, they are protected from reprisal by a number of statutes. These laws all provide protection for particular forms of whistleblowing activities. They include regulations like:
According to California Labor Code 1102.5, employees are protected when they report a legal infraction to a government or law enforcement agency, a person in charge of them, a colleague who has the power to investigate or fix the problem, or when they give information or give testimony regarding what they ostensibly believe to be a legal infraction. This extensive safeguard is intended to protect a variety of workers from whistleblower reprisal.
Employees who report Labor Code breaches to the California Labor Commissioner are protected by California Labor Code 98.6.
Retaliation against employees who report violations of occupational health and safety regulations to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is prohibited by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of California.
State employees who disclose specific breaches are protected by the California Whistleblower Protection Act.
Retaliation against a worker who reports harassment or discrimination is forbidden by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
What to do if you are fired for whistleblowing
So, what happens if you report anything to your employer and they dismiss you, demote you, or do something else that would be considered an adverse employment action? A California employment attorney can support you in your quest for justice in this circumstance. You must first make a complaint with the relevant state agency for a violation of a specific legislation before filing a lawsuit.
You have the option of filing a complaint with the agency first for other offenses, like labor code infractions, or going straight to court. For the losses you have endured, you might be entitled to compensation, which might include lost pay, mental distress, reinstatement, and even punitive penalties.
PLBH is here for you if you have been wrongly fired or otherwise treated unfairly as a result of reporting unlawful or immoral behavior. We have defended workers who have experienced harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other wrongdoings for more than 50 years. Call (800) 435-7542 or send an email to info@plblaw.com to set up a meeting with a California employment attorney.