Los Angeles Whistleblower Protection Lawyer

Employees within a business sometimes see their employer engaging in illegal, unethical, or unsafe actions. While workers may want to report these actions, they also fear that doing so will result in job loss. Employees are also sometimes fearful that they will face civil or criminal liability after they speak up. It is a courageous act to come forward with information that could hurt a business, an employer, or a co-worker. By doing so, you should not have to worry that you are putting your job or safety at risk. A lawyer can advise on your case and inform you of your rights.

Protections Under the California Labor Code

The California Labor Code recognizes the importance of protecting the rights of whistleblowers when they act for the greater good of the public. The law prohibits employers from taking adverse action against an employee for:

• Disclosing information to a law enforcement agency, government entity, or other person with the authority to investigate a claim,
• Providing information to a public body during an investigation, inquiry, or hearing, or
• Testifying during an investigation, inquiry, or hearing before a public body.

Employers who penalize or punish employees for taking any of the above actions can be held liable for paying damages.

Violations Employees Can Report

Not all complaints are considered whistleblower complaints. Some of the most common violations that form the basis of whistleblower complaints include:

• Workplace safety regulation violations, such as unsafe equipment or improper training,
• Human resource violations, such as failing to keep employment records confidential,
• Violations of environmental regulations and law, including those related to disposing of toxic chemicals,
• Antitrust violations, including auction-rigging or price fixing, and
• Violations of securities law, such as hiding financial liabilities.

Along with the above examples, you can blow the whistle on your employer any time they act illegally. It is important to note that there is no penalty for being wrong about the violation. As long as you have reasonable cause to believe your employer broke the law or violated certain regulations, you can blow the whistle.

Retaliation Against Whistleblowers

The law not only provides many protections for you when you are reporting illegal activity, but it also prohibits your employer from taking certain actions against you. Employees are protected from retaliation by the employer. After blowing the whistle on your employer, you are protected from:

• Demotion,
• Wrongful termination,
• Assault, whether it is physical or verbal,
• A pay reduction,
• Being left out of projects,
• Loss of bonuses and benefits,
• A hostile work environment,
• Being physically relocated, or
• A loss of access to supervisors or other employees, among others.

Sadly, there is no end to the illegal and adverse actions an employer may take after you blow the whistle. A Los Angeles whistleblower protection lawyer can ensure you do not face these consequences.

Whistleblower Protection Attorney Can Help You Make Things Right

If you need to blow the whistle on your employer, or you were retaliated against for whistleblowing, it’s important to protect your interests. For a confidential consultation with an experienced employment lawyer, contact Litigation, P.C., at 424-284-2401 or online to learn about your legal options. We routinely handle matters throughout SoCal.