Retaliation against Whistleblowers
A whistleblower can be anyone who reports illegal, unsafe, or unethical practices by a company or supervisor. The term is derived from a referee’s use of a whistle to call out violations or foul play in a sporting event. These public-minded individuals are vital to stopping corporate corruption and defending a fair workplace for all of us, and they are entitled to whistleblower protection.
A number of laws prohibit companies from retaliating against the whistleblowers who expose them through these protected acts. In Washington state, RCW 42.40 protects whistleblowers in State government positions, while RCW 49.60 outlaws companies from retaliating or issuing penalties against those who report them.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also has its own Whistleblower Protection Program that enforces protection laws in the U.S. and provides assistance to workers who experience retaliation from their employers after reporting something that is unsafe, illegal, or unethical in their place of work.
If you have been retaliated against, call Emery | Reddy, PLLC today to speak to an Intake Specialist and learn how we may be able to help you with your claim.
The False Claims Act and Qui Tam Actions
Whistleblower claims must be true to the best of the knowledge of the individuals reporting them. The False Claims Act imposes liability on companies (usually federal contractors) that defraud government programs. The law includes what is known as a qui tam provision, which allows people unaffiliated with the government to take action on behalf of the government through whistleblowing and allegations of fraud. Under these acts, the federal government itself may get involved when an employee suffers from retaliation after filing a complaint against a federal employer. Those workers may be eligible for the following compensation:
- Job reinstatement
- Back pay at double the worker’s standard rate
- Financial compensation for attorney’s fees
Employer Retaliation against Whistleblowers
Employers retaliate in different ways against employees who file whistleblower claims. Sometimes the worker is fired, demoted, harassed, denied promotion, or placed under surveillance by colleagues or a supervisor. In many cases, the employee receives undeserved low-performance reviews or a harmful reference when they apply for work elsewhere. Any such action is illegal and entitles the employee to take action against the company.
If an employer has retaliated against you for whistleblowing, call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist and to learn how we may be able to help you with your claim. We know what’s at stake when your job is on the line, and if we accept your case, we won’t stop fighting until you’ve received the justice and compensation to which you are entitled.
Do I Need to Hire a Whistleblower Protection Attorney?
If you have tried to work things out with your employer and nothing has been done, then it’s time to consult with an experienced Seattle Whistleblower Retaliation attorney. Employment Law is complicated and can be overwhelming for anyone not familiar with it. Trying to hold a company accountable for bad business practices requires a skilled attorney to navigate the different laws and tactics an employer may use.
Emery | Reddy has decades of experience in Employment Law and an unmatched record of helping Washington state workers get the justice they deserve in labor violations. Call for a Free Case Review to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist and learn more about your rights.
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The Whistleblower Protection Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC are passionate about helping workers with Employment Law issues and L&I claims. We Help Workers®. It’s our motto and what drives us every day.
We know how companies think, and we understand the tactics they use. Our Employment Law Attorneys use that knowledge coupled with over three decades of experience to help our clients get access to the benefits to which they are legally entitled and hold employers accountable when they break the law.
If you’re struggling with an employment issue, injury, or L&I claim, call us for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how Emery | Reddy may be able help you today.
“Everyone at Emery | Reddy went above and beyond to help me through a very tough time dealing with L&I. If it wasn't for them, I would not have received all the benefits I needed to support my family during my injury. They fought for me every step of the way. I owe everything to them and will be forever grateful.”
— Erik S.
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