What is the Whistleblower Protection Program?
The Whistleblower Protection Program is a law in Washington that protects whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting misconduct or illegal activities. This includes any employee, contractor, or former employee or contractor of the state of Washington who reports a government wrong-doing. The law protects whistleblowers from being fired, demoted, suspended, or discriminated against in any way. The Whistleblower Protection Program provides protection for whistleblowers who report violations of the law, abuse of power, or fraud. Under the law, a whistleblower can file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General will investigate the complaint and if it is found to be valid, the whistleblower will receive protection from any potential retaliatory action. In addition to protection from retaliation, the law also provides the whistleblower with rewards for successfully reporting a government wrong-doing. Whistleblowers can be eligible for up to 30% of any financial recovery that is collected from the wrong-doer. This is intended to incentivize reporting of misconduct or illegal activities. The Whistleblower Protection Program is an important law in Washington that strives to maintain accountability and protect whistleblowers from retaliatory actions. It’s important to know the law so that if you are ever in a situation where you feel compelled to report a wrong-doing, you can do so without fear of retaliation.
Related FAQs
What rights do I have if I am retaliated against?What is the False Claims Act?
What damages can a whistleblower recover?
Are there whistleblower protection programs for public companies?
Who can be a whistleblower?
Are there any state laws related to whistleblower protection?
What is a sealed claim?
How can I protect myself as a whistleblower?
How do I determine if a company is violating the law?
What is a bounty claim?
Related Blog Posts
What A Whistleblower Should Know About The Laws Protecting Them - July 31, 2023The Rights of Whistleblowers: A Guide for Those Who Speak Out - August 7, 2023
Exploring the Basics of Whistleblower Law in the U.S. - August 14, 2023
How to Make a Whistleblower Claim Under Federal Law - August 21, 2023
The Benefits of Hiring a Whistleblower Lawyer - August 28, 2023