What protections are available for whistleblowers?

In Washington, whistleblowers are provided special protections under state and federal law. This means that employers, including the state and federal government, are prohibited from punishing or retaliating against employees who report illegal or unethical activities within their workplace. Under the Washington Whistleblower Protection Act, government employers are prohibited from taking adverse personnel action against employees who report violations of the law or public policies. This includes firing, suspending, demoting, or otherwise discriminating against an employee. The state law also protects whistleblowers from any employer who attempts to interfere with their lawful acts of whistleblowing by harassing, intimidating, or threatening them. In addition, the federal False Claims Act protects whistleblowers from retaliation by their employers. This law is designed to reward people who voluntarily provide information regarding fraud, waste, and abuse that is committed against the government. People who report these issues are given a financial reward for their efforts, as well as protection from employer retaliation. Overall, Washington provides important protections for whistleblowers to ensure that people can come forward with information that is in the public’s best interests without fear of retribution. These protections ensure that people can safely report unethical and illegal activity without facing serious or even career-ending consequences.

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What protections are available for whistleblowers?

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