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At Aegis Law Firm, our Orange County whistleblower attorneys have protected numerous clients from employer retaliation. Whether your employer tries to terminate your employment or find more subtle ways to hurt your career, our team is ready to bring their actions to light and ensure you receive fair treatment.
It’s not easy for an employee to speak up when their employer is breaking the law or harassing people in the workplace, which is why California law has many protections in place for whistleblowers. A whistleblower is anyone who has taken legal action against an employer or alerted the authorities of misconduct at their workplace. Many people are afraid to speak up in these situations out of fear of how it will impact their careers. If your employer does try to retaliate, you have the power to fight back!
Contact us today to request a free consultation. Our Orange County whistleblower lawyers handle many cases on a contingency fee basis.
An attorney experienced in representing whistleblowers in Orange County can help protect your communications through the attorney-client privilege and help to shield you from legal liability. They will help you develop a well-thought-out strategy and can explain all legal options available to protect your rights. They are also deeply familiar with whistleblower laws and how to hold employers liable for wrongdoings. Therefore, they can help you with filing a claim and will handle every aspect, including the appropriate paperwork. If necessary, they will represent your interests as you take on a corporation or government agency in court.
If you believe your employer is violating the law or you have been retaliated against, contact an Orange County whistleblower attorney for assistance. It is best to consult an attorney before you make a disclosure or early in the process (before taking risks). They can help you determine whether you have a valid case and the best course of action.
Employees who are whistleblowers are protected by several federal environmental and safety laws. As a result, their company cannot retaliate or take revenge for whistleblowing. To qualify for whistleblower protection, you must first have good-faith belief that the allegations you are disclosing are truthful. There are five types of protected disclosures:
Secondly, the complaint must be given to your employer or the appropriate federal agency. If your claim is valid and you were negatively impacted by retaliation, illegal, or unethical acts, you may be able to bring a claim and hold your employer responsible for lost wages, back pay, lost benefits, and mental anguish.
California has the following laws in place to protect whistleblowers.
Who is Protected?
Under California Labor Code Section 1102.5, any person employed by an employer, private or public, including, but not limited to, individuals employed by the state or any subdivision thereof, any county, city, city and county, including any charter city or county, and any school district, community college district, municipal or public corporation, political subdivision, or the University of California. (California Labor Code Section 1106)
What Protections are In Place?
Employers cannot make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy that prevents an employee from being a whistleblower. If an employer retaliates against a whistleblower, the employer may be required to reinstate the individual’s employment and work benefits, pay lost wages, and take any other steps necessary under the law (California Labor Code Section 1102.5).
Employees who have information regarding possible violations of state or federal statutes, rules, or regulations, or violations of fiduciary responsibility by a corporation or limited liability company to its shareholders, investors, or employees, should call the California State Attorney General’s Whistleblower Hotline at 1-800-952-5225. The Attorney General will then relay your call to the appropriate government authority for their review and possible investigation.
Many employers realize that firing an employee who took legal action against them will result in more trouble. Instead of terminating employment, some employers will try to make working conditions bad enough that the employee will leave on their own. This is still considered retaliation and is unlawful.
Examples of retaliation include:
Proving retaliation is not always easy. You will need to pay close attention to how your employer treats you and take notes of anything that seems retaliatory. Save emails, talk to coworkers you trust to find out if comments have been made, and keep records of old performance reviews to see how they compare with remarks made after whistleblowing. This will help your Orange County employment law attorney build your case.
When an employer is retaliating against you, taking legal action can accomplish one of two things: stop the retaliation and create a better work environment so you can maintain employment, or provide you with compensation so that you can leave the job and look for new employment.
Our dedicated whistleblower lawyers in Orange County fight to secure the best possible outcome for our clients. When you hire our team, we will work closely with you to figure out a positive solution to this problem.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling (949) 379-6250 or contact us online.