Are there whistleblower protections for government employees?

Yes, government employees in California have whistleblower protections. California laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation by their employer, including government employers. When a government employee believes that their employer has engaged in an illegal or unethical act, they can report the offense or misconduct and be protected from any retribution or retaliation. Employees must first report the misconduct or illegal activity to the proper channels, such as the employer’s supervisor or other representatives of the employer. This is known as “internal whistleblowing”. If the employee is unable to report the misconduct internally, they may choose to contact an appropriate government agency or outside oversight organization such as the media or a law enforcement agency. This is referred to as “external whistleblowing”. Under California law, a government employer cannot retaliate against an employee for reporting a violation of law, making a good faith report of misconduct, or refusing to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is illegal or unethical. Retaliation could include a variety of actions, such as reassigning the employee to a less desirable job, having the employee work in a hostile work environment, or giving the employee a bad evaluation. Whistleblowers may seek relief from the court. If a whistleblower’s rights have been violated, the whistleblower may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay or front pay, attorneys’ fees and court costs, or other relief. Overall, California law protects government employees who are whistleblowing. When a government employee believes their employer has engaged in misconduct or unlawful behavior, they can report it through the appropriate channels and be protected from any form of retaliation.

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Are there whistleblower protections for government employees?

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