Whistleblowers are employees who report illegal, dishonest, unsafe or dangerous acts or activities of their employer or other employees. Whistleblowers can report internally, for example, to a supervisor or someone in authority within the employment organization. They can also report externally, to a person in a government agency that has the power to investigate and to stop to the reported act or activity. Most Whistleblowers report internally to the their employer, typically reporting the misconduct of a co-worker or supervisor.

Too often Whistleblowers are mistreated or subjected to discriminatory or retaliatory conduct by their employer. Discriminatory or retaliatory conduct varies and includes things like termination, suspension, demotion, wage reduction, discipline, or simply a hostile work environment.

Many laws have been passed to protect Whistleblowers, giving them the right to sue their employers for discrimination or retaliation. Here are some examples of Whistleblowers who are protected:

• healthcare providers, including nursing home and elder-care facility employees, who report suspected patient abuse or neglect;

• employees who report their employer’s wage theft or violation of wage and hour and overtime laws;

• employees in the food service industry who report their employer’s violation of food safety, quality, and cleanliness laws;

• employees who report their employer’s defrauding of a governmental entity or agency;

• employees who report insurance fraud.

The Fillmore Law Firm has helped many Whistleblowers in a variety of contexts.

Important Questions to Consider

• Are you aware of illegal, dishonest, unsafe or dangerous conduct by your employer or by a co-worker?

• Are you thinking about blowing the whistle but are not sure how to proceed?

• Have you reported illegal, dishonest, unsafe or dangerous misconduct to your employer or to a law enforcement agency with the authority to investigate and stop the misconduct?

• Are you concerned about how you will be treated if you whistleblow?

• Have you experienced discrimination or retaliation after whistleblowing?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you need to consult an attorney about your potential legal rights and responsibilities. Under the law, you may be obligated to report to a specific agency or in a specific way. In fact, there are laws that may make your failure to report a criminal offense.

The Fillmore Law Firm will consult with you free of charge to help you understand your rights and responsibilities.

We understand that it is often easy to look the other way when a co-worker or superior falsifies a report, fudges numbers, or commits another wrong on the job. However, reporting such situations is the right thing to do, for yourself, your company, and the public at large.

Knowledgeable, Effective Representation

For knowledgeable and effective help with employment disputes, contact The Fillmore Law Firm today!