What legal protections are available to whistleblowers?

When an employee has knowledge or information of illegal activity in a workplace, they may feel the need to report it. The state of Mississippi protects whistleblowers through legal provisions that safeguard those who report unlawful activity. These legal protections provide civil and criminal immunity to whistleblowers and limit employer retaliation. Mississippi state law prohibits employers from taking retaliatory action such as firing, demoting, or otherwise punishing an individual who has reported a violation or suspected violation of state or federal laws. Whistleblowers in the state of Mississippi also qualify for protection under a federal statute called the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Sarbanes-Oxley provides for civil action and damages if a whistleblower is subjected to retaliation or discrimination. It also provides for double back pay, reinstatement, or other equitable relief if an employee has been retaliated against. The Mississippi Public Employees’ Whistleblower Act is another law that is available for whistleblowers. This act requires public employers in the state to create a policy outlining the process for employees to report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. The policy must also include a prohibition against retaliatory action. These legal protections are in place to provide whistleblowers with the reassurance that they will be protected from any form of retaliation for reporting illegal activity in their workplace. Without such protections, illegal activity may go unreported and unchecked.

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What legal protections are available to whistleblowers?

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