Whistleblower Protection

Whistleblower protection is a crucial element of state and federal whistleblower legislation. When an individual comes forward with allegations or proof of wrongdoing, illegal conduct, fraud, government waste, abuse of power, etc., a whistleblower lawyer will make sure that the whistleblower receives due protection under the relevant laws.

Protection against Whistleblower Retaliation

Unfortunately, many employers, private and public, have taken steps to punish or harass whistleblowers, with actions such as:

demotion
suspension
cut in pay
transfer to a less desirable or less senior job, or to a different job location
denial of promotion or benefits
termination
isolation by other employees
threats

Whistleblower Protection Laws

Whistleblower protection laws serve to prevent an employer from engaging in such retaliatory conduct. For example, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 applies to individuals who work for the federal government and report:

violation of a rule, regulation, or law
gross mismanagement
gross waste of funds
an abuse of authority
substantial danger to public safety or health

A Patchwork of Federal and State Whistleblower Protection Acts

Whistleblower protection laws go back a long way in the U.S.; the first such federal Act was implemented in 1912. Among the many other federal acts containing whistleblower protection measures are the:

Clean Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Solid Waste Disposal Act
Superfund Law
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act
Clean Air Act
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (for corporate fraud)
Military Whistleblower Protection Act

The California Whistleblower Protection Act

There are also several state whistleblower protection statutes. A particularly well-used state whistleblower law is the California Whistleblower Protection Act, which protects individuals who reveal evidence of the following committed by state employees:

misuse or abuse of state property (including worktime, state vehicles, or equipment)
illegal acts (e.g., fraud, theft, conflicts of interest)
gross incompetence, inefficiency, or misconduct

Make Use of Whistleblower Protections

Whistleblower protection measures in the United States apply to many (but not all) people and circumstances. Both private employers and government entities are subject to some whistleblower laws, but the statutes are complex and not all-encompassing.

If you have evidence of or suspect significant wrongdoing at your place of work or in your industry, it's in your best interest to consult an experienced and knowledgeable whistleblower lawyer to discuss your concerns. An attorney can make sure that your rights are protected and advanced. For more information or to speak with an experienced attorney for whistleblowers, contact us today.

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