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Whistleblowers Lawyer

Whistleblowers are employees who report illegal or unethical behavior by their employer or coworkers to authorities or the public in order to expose wrongdoing and promote accountability.

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Who Are Whistleblowers?

Whistleblowers can be any employee of a public or private company, including (but not limited to) employees of the following companies :

  • Government Entities
  • Political Subdivisions
  • Public Corporations
  • Private Business
  • Educational Entities

 Whistleblowers can also assist investigations into alleged corporate malfeasance or testify at trials relating to these investigations or prosecutions.

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What are California’s Whistleblower Laws?

California has several whistleblower laws that protect employees who report violations of law or public policy by their employers or coworkers.

Some of the main whistleblower laws in California include the California Whistleblower Protection Act, the California Employment Code, and the California False Claims Act.

These laws provide protection to employees who report a wide range of activities.

  • Illegal or unethical behavior
  • Including fraud
  • Corruption
  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Retaliation

Government Code Section 8547

This law protects state employees who report improper governmental activities from retaliation.

Employment Code Section 1102.5

This law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report violations of state or federal laws or regulations or who refuse to participate in illegal activities.

Health and Safety Code Section 1278.5

This law protects employees of healthcare facilities who report patient safety issues or other violations of law or regulations from retaliation.

Business and Professions Code Section 6068.1

This law protects lawyers who report ethical violations by other lawyers from retaliation.

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Whistleblower Protections

In the United States, the state of California has some of the most robust protections for employees who blow the whistle. Employees who report violations of the law or other misconduct committed by their employers are shielded from retaliation by their employers under California’s whistleblower protection laws. These laws were enacted with this goal in mind.

In addition to the federal False Claims Act and other federal laws that protect whistleblowers, California workers are protected by Employment Code Section 1102.51.

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Is A Complaint The Same As Whistleblowing?

When you make a complaint, it is typically about something that affects you on a personal level. That might be a complaint about discrimination or harassment you faced from a coworker. A complaint like that would be something you do for your personal betterment. However, whistleblowing is not usually something that impacts you as an individual only. 

  • In California, a complaint and whistleblowing are two distinct legal concepts that have different meanings and legal implications.
  • A complaint is a formal expression of dissatisfaction or disagreement with a situation or an action, usually made to an employer or supervisor. Complaints can be related to a variety of issues, such as discrimination, harassment, and working conditions.
  • Whistleblowing, on the other hand, is a specific type of complaint that involves reporting illegal or unethical behavior within an organization to an external authority, such as a government agency, law enforcement, or the media.
  • Whistleblowers are protected by California law from retaliation, which means that employers cannot fire, demote, harass, or otherwise punish employees who report wrongdoing.
  • The California Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) provides protection for whistleblowers who report violations of state or federal laws, rules, or regulations. This law also applies to employees who refuse to participate in illegal activities or who object to the use of public resources for inappropriate purposes.
  • In contrast, complaints that are not related to whistleblowing may not be protected under the WPA. However, employees who file complaints about unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation are protected under other California laws, such as the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
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Employment Rights Attorneys in LA

We are committed to standing up for the rights of all workers, whether blue or white-collar, and we are ready to put our extensive resources to work for you to help you get the compensation and justice you deserve if you have been wronged on the job. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Sexual Harassment

Harassment on the basis of a person's refusal to engage in sexual activity can take many forms, ranging from unwanted sexual advances to the denial of employment opportunities.

Whistleblower Retaliation

Whistleblowers are employees who report the unlawful actions of their employer to the proper authorities. Whistleblowers are legally protected from employer retaliation..

Discrimination

Were you illegally discriminated against at work based on your age, race, religion, or gender? Were you denied a promotion or fired based on these factors?

(FMLA) & Disability

We assist workers who have been mistreated because of their disabilities or denied leave under the FMLA. Meet with our attorneys today if you need help..

Wrongful Termination

We hold employers accountable who fire employees for illegitimate and illegal reasons. Contact us whether your employer created a hostile work environment or fired you..

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Frequently Asked Questions

A: Age discrimination is treating an individual unfairly or differently because of their age. This can include denying employment, promotions, or training opportunities based on age.

A: In the United States, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employment discrimination against individuals who are 40 years of age or older. Some states may have additional laws protecting against age discrimination.

A: Yes, age discrimination can occur during any stage of the employment process, including hiring. For example, an employer may choose not to hire someone based solely on their age, even if they are otherwise qualified for the position.

A: If you believe you have been a victim of age discrimination, you should speak with an employment lawyer or file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC investigates claims of discrimination and may take legal action against employers who violate anti-discrimination laws.

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Lisa B.
Lisa B.
2022-01-27
From beginning to end the team at this firm were responsive, professional, and most of allCARING! I WILL RECOMMEND this firm to anyone having issues with an employer. Andrew Doroitt and his team are AWESOME!
Miguel C.
Miguel C.
2021-03-05
Atty Zelma is very helpful and very knowledgeable in labor disputes. Very approachable and really keep me updated of what is going on and guided me what to do. The support staff were also very helpful and very fast in answering your questions. I am very happy of my case and I would recommend him to colleagues and friends.
Pamela R.
Pamela R.
2019-10-22
I highly recommend southern California labor law group especially attorney Michael Zelman he was fantastic in handling my case of unlawful termination his staff of Paralegal's were very kind courteous and professional and handling all matters of my case I was very satisfied with the results achieved using Michael Zelman of Southern California Employment Law Group
Chris M.
Chris M.
2019-06-22
Michael and Eric represented me in 2017.  They quickly assimilated the details of my case.  Proposed an action plan and acted quickly to make progress.  They were diligent and creative.  I was impressed.  I recommend them without hesitation.

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