Few things are more difficult than calling out unethical or unlawful acts by your employer. Doing so can put your career at risk, and there is no guarantee that anything will come of the information you share. Thankfully, the law provides some protections for whistleblowers.
If you are facing retaliation, a dedicated workplace retaliation attorney could help. Acts of retaliation are unlawful, and employers that engage in them could face serious consequences. Let a Los Angeles whistleblower retaliation lawyer help you understand the types of compensation you may be entitled to recover.
There is a common misconception that retaliation cases are exclusively about the termination of a whistleblower’s employment. In reality, there are many ways in which companies can penalize a person for doing the right thing. This can make it more difficult to prove that an employer’s actions were intended as retaliation.
Many whistleblowers find their career advancement stagnates after making a report. This may be evident after watching less qualified co-workers receive undeserved bonuses or promotions.
Some acts of retaliation are designed to motivate the worker to quit on their own accord. This might include refusing reasonable requests for accommodations for physical or mental health conditions, denying medical or pregnancy leave, and other actions that would not typically occur prior to reporting the company for wrongdoing.
Some of the worst forms of retaliation involve harassment. When a work environment becomes hostile, a Los Angeles whistleblower retaliation attorney could help.
It is not always easy to prove a person has been punished because they are a whistleblower. After all, companies have the power to terminate or otherwise penalize someone if they have a valid reason. Poor job performance is a common example of a valid reason for termination.
There are several different ways an attorney in Los Angeles could prove that whistleblower retaliation occurred. First, there must be evidence that the employer was aware the worker made a complaint about discrimination or illegal activities within the company. Second, there must have been some negative action taken against that employee, such as termination or a salary reduction. Finally, there must be evidence demonstrating that these actions were primarily based on the worker’s complaint and not their job performance.
In some cases, there might be a paper trail showing the employer’s intent. It is not unheard of for an owner or supervisor to state in an email that their actions are in retaliation against a worker.
When there is no direct admission of guilt, the strongest evidence often relates to how a worker was treated before and after reporting misconduct. For example, if an employee received only positive evaluations but was unexpectedly terminated after reporting illegal activities within the company, it may indicate retaliation.
You should never be punished for doing the right thing, whether you are reporting your company for criminal activity or considering legal action due to their pattern of discrimination.
A Los Angeles whistleblower retaliation lawyer can advise you of your rights. Call today to discuss your case during a private consultation.
N/a
(310) 598-1524
