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Whistleblowers can seek protection from wrongful termination

You probably didn’t think your company was breaking the law when you got hired, but during the course of your employment, you found out that your company was making a lot of legal “missteps.” After it weighed on your conscience for some time, you decided to file a report with your boss’ boss so that the unlawful behavior would stop. The next thing you know, you’re out of a job.

If you reported one of your co-workers, or your company for breaking the law, then you are a “whistleblower.” If you lost your job due to whistleblowing, then you may have a viable claim to seek financial compensation for lost wages and other damages relating to your wrongful termination.

Many whistleblower lawsuits stem from violations of environmental law. For example, maybe you were working for a construction company or factory that was violating the rules and regulations set forth in the Toxic Substance Control Act, the Federal Clean Air Act or the Pollution Prevention Act. Or, maybe your company was violating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) safety guidelines. All of these federal acts offer whistleblower protections. As such, if your employer retaliates against you for making its violations of these laws known, you can seek legal remedies in court.

If you’re a whistleblower, you have done your company, your community and your fellow employees a great service. Your actions should be celebrated, not punished with wrongful termination by your employer. Employers that try to hide their unlawful activities by firing or retaliating against whistleblowing employees can be held financially liable for the damages they cause.

Source: FindLaw, “Protection for Whistleblowers,” accessed Aug. 01, 2017


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