Alameda Whistleblower Protection Lawyers

If you see something illegal in your workplace, what do you do? What about if someone at work asks you to be complicit in these activities? As a law-abiding citizen, you may want to report this behavior, but you may be concerned about losing your job. These situations call for quick, legally sound action to protect your rights. Alameda whistleblower protection lawyers can help. 

What is Whistleblowing?

When someone witnesses or is asked to comply with illegal activity in the workplace, he or she may have the moral fortitude to report the illegal activity to the proper authorities. When someone goes through with this reporting, they are known as a whistleblower.  

A whistleblower may bring many types of issues to light, including: 

• Violations of federal, state, or local laws
• Unsafe, hostile, or otherwise unhealthy working environments
• Refusal to comply with regulations

The exact nature of the violation dictates which authority the whistleblower should report to. For example, an employee may first report unsafe working conditions to a supervisor in order to get an issue corrected. If nothing changes, it may be necessary to escalate the situation and report the issue to government agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Other situations may call for reports to state or local government agencies, federal law enforcement agencies, or third-party supervising organizations. 

Whistleblowers may report any type of misconduct in the workplace. Some of the most common violations that whistleblowers report are: 

• Fraud regarding accounting, billing, or tax returns
• False test results for regulation compliance
• Violations of workplace safety laws and regulations
• Discrimination and harassment against protected classes
• Not paying employees in line with regulations
• Knowingly manufacturing and selling dangerous products

Naturally, corporations and managers who violate the law often lash out when someone reports their misdeeds. That’s why it’s so important that whistleblowers know their rights and get the legal representation they need to protect those rights. 

Do Whistleblowers Have Legal Protection?

California labor laws explicitly protect whistleblowers. Under California Labor Code section 1102.5, employers cannot retaliate against employees who report anything that they have reason to believe is illegal. Many other California laws protect whistleblowers in other ways as well.  

In addition to California’s laws, there are approximately two dozen federal laws in place to protect whistleblowers from retaliation. For example, if an employer commits fraud against the federal government, the laws protect those who report the fraud. 

State and federal laws protect whistleblowers even if an investigation into wrongdoing does not produce any legal charges against the company. So long as the whistleblower was reasonable in his or her belief that wrongdoing occurred.  

When employers violate these rights, whistleblowers may file lawsuits on many different types of legal grounds. It’s vital for whistleblowers to hire lawyers who know exactly how to defend these important rights.  

Get Help from Alameda Whistleblower Protection Lawyers

Whistleblowing is an important thing to do, but it’s not always easy. If you want to report wrongdoing that you see, you will likely need legal representation in order to protect your rights. Choose Alameda whistleblower protection lawyers with the expertise, moral courage, and dedication you need on your side. Contact Minnis & Smallets today to get started.