If you are an employee in California and have knowledge of corrupt or illegal activity occurring in your workplace, you may be wondering what rights you have. In this blog post, we will discuss whistleblowing and how our employment lawyers at Gaines & Gaines, APLC can help protect you from employer retaliation.
What is Whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing is the act of reporting wrongdoing(s) by an organization to people or entities who have the power to take corrective action. A few of the most common whistleblower cases involve employee reporting;
- Sexual harassment
- Fraud
- Corruption
- Discrimination
Whistleblowing isn't limited to this list. An employment lawyer can review your particular situation and help you navigate whether you have a case or not.
How You Can Protect yourself From Retaliation
When an employee reports an employer's wrongdoings, the employee is protected from employer retaliation under state and federal law. California's Labor Code, section 230(e) specifically prohibits an employer from discharging or retaliating against an employee. Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) strengthens existing protections for employees reporting employer misconduct.
Unfortunately, these laws do not always stop employers from retaliating against whistleblowers. Some of the ways an employer may retaliate against a whistleblower include:
- Reducing salary
- Cutting hours
- Blacklisting
- Denying promotions or pay raises
- Terminating or demoting the employee
If you have been the victim of employer retaliation, an experienced employment lawyer can help. A lawyer will review the facts of your case and advise you on the best course of action to take.
Your Next Step
Whistleblowing can be a difficult decision to make, and reporting a company can seem daunting as no one wants to be bullied by an institution. At Gaines & Gaines, APLC, we understand the importance of defending the rights of California workers. If you have been the victim of employer retaliation, please contact us to discuss your case. We will review the facts of your case and advise you on the best course of action moving forward.
To get a free consultation, call today at (866) 400-4450.