What is whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing typically involves raising concerns about a company’s illegal, negligent, fraudulent, unethical or dangerous actions. In many cases, the whistleblowing worker is not affected by the actions, but is concerned about the possible effects on the company’s customers, employees and the general public.
Whistleblowers typically retain Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys to help them gain whistleblower protections, to avoid the potential pitfalls involved with whistleblowing and receive monetary rewards for blowing the whistle.
How do I know if I should blow the whistle on my employer?
It can be difficult to know when whistleblowing is appropriate. Some problems can be resolved simply by notifying management of the situation. However, other whistleblower cases may involve workplace retaliation for attempting to stop the company’s unlawful or dangerous actions. Employees in this situation need whistleblower protection provided by federal whistleblower and whistleblowing laws in California.
It is vital to note that whistleblowing can sometimes amount to opening Pandora’s box. Once the authorities are aware of potential illegal activities, by law they are compelled to investigate allegations from whistleblowers and resolve the situation.
A Los Angeles whistleblower attorney can help you decide if whistleblowing is the best course of action. If so, our experienced employment attorneys can walk you through the process of reporting fraud and getting whistleblower protection.
Will I lose my job if I become a whistleblower in California?
It is possible that your employer will fire you for reporting illegal acts at work. However, such an action would be wrongful termination, and the company could be heavily penalized for any act of workplace retaliation it undertakes against whistleblowers.
Can I remain anonymous and still be a whistleblower?
Whistleblowers have the right to remain anonymous. However, this does not prevent employers from trying to discover who made the complaint or filed a False Claim Act case. Additionally, whistleblowing might only succeed if the whistleblower is willing to provide contact information to the authorities.
Do whistleblowing laws in California provide rewards to whistleblowers?
In addition to the federal Whistleblower Protection Act, whistleblowing laws in California may provide for some monetary reward to whistleblowers who successfully recover funds for the government. If the whistleblowing was related to fraud against the government, the person who brought the claim can potentially receive a monetary reward through a qui tam lawsuit. Under the False Claims Act, individuals who help stop fraud can receive up to 30 percent of what the government recovers from the guilty party in a qui tam lawsuit.
In some whistleblowing cases, whistleblowers can receive compensation for any emotional distress they suffered because of retaliation by the individual or company they reported.
How can I blow the whistle on my California employer performing illegal or dangerous activities?
Contact the Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys at the employment law firm of Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison, P.C. to begin the whistleblowing process. There is no charge to meet with us for a confidential consultation about whistleblowing in the workplace. Call or submit a form online.
