The definition of a whistleblower, from the Government Accountability Project, is “an employee who discloses information that s/he reasonably believes is evidence of illegality, gross waste or fraud, mismanagement, abuse of power, general wrongdoing, or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. Typically, whistleblowers speak out to parties that can influence and rectify the situation. These parties include the media, organizational managers, hotlines, or Congressional members/staff, to name a few.”
Here are some famous whistleblowers:
It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for whistleblowing. When employees report discrimination, harassment, file workers’ compensation claims, testify in legal proceedings, or bring illegal activity to the employers’ attention, employers cannot take adverse employment actions. Unfortunately, this legal protection does not prevent employers from terminating or demoting employees who report such activity.
Contact Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. for a free phone consultation or an in-person consultation regarding your whistleblower retaliation claim. Our firm has offices in Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey and Rockland County, New York.