What is a public disclosure bar?

A public disclosure bar is a law in Virginia that protects whistleblowers. This law provides whistleblowers a legal option to report cases of illegal activity or misconduct to the appropriate authorities. In such cases, the whistleblower cannot be retaliated against for making the report. The public disclosure bar prevents employers from taking any retaliatory action against whistleblowers. This means that if a whistleblower reports an illegal activity or misconduct to an appropriate authority, such as a governmental agency or the media, they cannot be fired, demoted, suspended, or have their wages or benefits decreased as a result of their disclosure. Whistleblowers are also protected from civil liability by the public disclosure bar. This law prevents employers from suing a whistleblower for disclosing any information about a workplace which is not a trade secret or confidential commercial or financial information. The public disclosure bar is an important tool for whistleblowers to ensure their rights are protected and that they are not punished for speaking out against companies or individuals engaging in illegal activities. It also encourages other citizens to speak out when they see or hear of illegal activities or misconduct, making Virginia a safer and healthier place to live.

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What is a public disclosure bar?

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