What rights do whistleblowers have?

Whistleblowers in California have extensive rights under state and federal law. In California, whistleblowers are protected from retaliation for reporting information that they reasonably believe shows a breach of state or federal law, or is in the public’s best interests. California law provides whistleblowers with the same level of protection as employees who report violation of laws related to worker safety or discrimination. Federal laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation by employers in cases where an employee provides proof of fraud against the government, violation of an environmental law or safety standards, or other forms of discrimination. Under this law, if an employee is retaliated against for reporting such activities, the employer is liable for damages and could be ordered to reinstate the employee and pay for any lost wages. In addition to providing a conduit for reporting potential violations of state and federal law, whistleblowers may be eligible for a reward in some cases. This may include a portion of any funds recovered as a result of the information they provided. Finally, whistleblowers may be legally protected from having to testify against their employer in civil cases or before Congress. These protections are especially important in cases where the whistleblower’s information could be used to incriminate their employer. Overall, whistleblowers in California are afforded an extensive array of rights under both state and federal law that help to protect them from retaliation and encourage them to report potential violations of the law.

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