Who can be a whistleblower?
In North Carolina, any person can be a whistleblower. This includes employees, former employees, and even contractors. The law protects people who report any violation of law or serious misconduct that is occurring in a business, agency, or government office. To be a whistleblower, an individual must have reasonable belief that the report of misconduct is truthful. The individual must also have the facts to back up the claim. In addition, a whistleblower must not have been involved in the illegal activity themselves. The most common type of whistleblower activity is reporting fraud, mismanagement, or violations of environmental laws. Other types of activities covered by whistleblower laws include reporting workplace safety violations and wage-and-hour violations. In addition, any activity that is illegal or presents a risk to public health or safety can be reported. In North Carolina, whistleblowers are protected from any form of retaliation, such as being demoted, or from being terminated in any way due to their whistleblowing activities. Those who experience any form of retaliation have the right to take legal action against any person or entity who is involved in retaliating against them. In summary, anyone who has knowledge of illegal or dangerous activities can be a whistleblower under North Carolina law. It is important for individuals to know their rights when it comes to reporting misconduct, as it protects them from any form of retaliation.
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