Employees across virtually all industries can sometimes become aware that their employers are engaging in fraud or other illegal or unethical activities. Under both federal law and California law, employees in these circumstances have the right to alert the authorities, regulatory agencies, and other such parties without fear of retaliation. An employee who brings attention to an employer’s “bad behavior” is often referred to as a “whistleblower.”
The fact that it is illegal to retaliate against a whistleblower doesn’t mean employers in our state never do so. If you suspect your employer has broken the law by punishing you for being a whistleblower, you may have grounds to seek financial compensation or reinstatement to a job by taking legal action.
An Oakland, California whistleblower attorney at JML Law can review your case and help you better understand your legal options. If it appears your current or former employer is guilty of illegal retaliation against a whistleblower, we are prepared to offer effective representation.
HOW EMPLOYERS RETALIATE AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWERS IN OAKLAND, CA
Employers who illegally punish whistleblowers may do so in a variety of ways. They include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
- Firing whistleblowers without proper justification
- Demoting workers
- Denying whistleblowers promotions or raises they have earned
- Assigning unpleasant shifts and/or duties to whistleblowers
- Giving whistleblowers poor performance reviews despite being satisfied or happy with their performance in the past
- Not allowing whistleblowers to participate in training activities
- Forcing whistleblowers into retirement
Those are just a few examples. If none of the above describe the retaliatory behavior of your employer, that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have a case against them. Schedule a consultation at our Oakland whistleblower law firm to find out whether you should file a claim or lawsuit.
HOW AN OAKLAND WHISTLEBLOWER LAWYER HELPS
Attempting to address these circumstances on your own is not a wise idea. You are more likely to win your case if you have assistance from a qualified legal professional.
An Oakland whistleblower lawyer can help you by:
- Determining whether your case is strong enough to move forward
- Gathering evidence to show that your employer retaliated against you
- Filing your claim/complaint with the appropriate parties
- Fighting for reinstatement or the compensation you deserve
- Handling all correspondence with witnesses and other parties who may be involved in the case
Be aware that employers who retaliate against whistleblowers often fabricate reasons for punishing employees. For example, if your employer fired you after you reported them for committing fraud, they may claim they fired you because your performance had declined in recent months.
Proving they are lying will require a thorough investigation. While you may not have the resources and expertise necessary to conduct such an investigation on your own, your attorney can handle this task for you.
CONTACT AN OAKLAND WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY
Don’t let an employer avoid the consequences if they have illegally retaliated against you. With the help of an Oakland whistleblower attorney at JML Law, you can hold them accountable for their actions. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 818-610-8800.
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Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. If you find yourself in this situation where you reported a law violation and your employer retaliated against you,