San Francisco Whistleblower Protection Lawyer Serving the Bay Area
Bay Area Employment Lawyers Rand L. Stephens and Richard Koss defend the rights of whistleblowers in California. If you have reported or are considering reporting an employer’s violation to a government or law enforcement agency, California whistleblower protection lawyers Rand L. Stephens and Richard Koss will advocate vigorously on your behalf.
Most whistleblowers are internal whistleblowers who report misconduct of fellow employees within their company. While many companies and organizations have created complaint systems through which employees may confidentially report illegal or unacceptable behavior, too often, employees are the victims of retaliation as the result of revealing another’s improper conduct. Moreover, to be entitled to legal protection, the complaints must be made to an appropriate government agency. Bay Area employment lawyers Rand L. Stephens and Richard Koss have extensive experience advocating on behalf of employees who were discriminated against or wrongfully terminated after exposing a boss or co-worker. We have handled major cases, including the Alaska Airlines crash case, Liotine v. Alaska Airlines, which was used loosely as a plot basis in the recent movie, Flight, with Denzel Washington.
California Whistleblower Protection Act
A whistleblower is an employee who reports, or threatens to report, illegal actions by an employer or supervisor to someone outside the company. A whistleblower can report illegal conduct such as sexual harassment, racial discrimination, financial fraud, or health or environmental violations. In California, whistleblowers who report illegal acts are protected from adverse employment actions such as wrongful termination, demotion, threats or coercion, harassment, workplace retaliation, or discrimination.
The California Whistleblower Protection Act protects those who report an activity that is in violation of the law or public policy. The Act protects an employee who discloses violations or noncompliance with state statutes, state rules or regulations. In California, if an employer retaliates against a whistleblower, the employee can seek reinstatement, lost wages and benefits and in some cases, attorney fees and punitive damages.
Whistleblower Protection Act
The federal Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal workers who report illegal acts by government employers and supervisors. The Act protects employees who disclose violations of federal laws, statutes, rules or regulations. The Act also covers disclosures concerning gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, and gross waste of funds. The Occupational Safety and Health Act provides federal protection to employees who report violations of OSHA safety regulations, such as failure to comply with safety rules in the workplace and toxic discharge or hazardous chemical exposure.
Contact an Experienced Attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area
If you need help with a claim, contact Mr. Stephens or Mr. Koss to speak with an experienced whistleblower protection lawyer in Northern California. Take action today and contact Bay Area Employment Lawyers Rand L. Stephens and Richard Koss for a consultation.
