What is the difference between whistleblowing and whistleblowing protection?

Whistleblowing and whistleblowing protection are two separate but related concepts. Whistleblowing is the act of reporting wrongdoing by an employer to the relevant authority, such as the federal government or a state agency. Whistleblower protection is the legal protection granted to whistleblowers to protect them from retaliation, such as termination, by their employers. Washington state has several laws designed to protect whistleblowers from employer retaliation. Under the Whistleblower Act of 1989, employees who report suspected violations of state and federal laws are protected from any employer retaliation. The whistleblower must have a reasonable belief that a violation of the law occurred and act in good faith in making the complaint. The Washington False Claims Act protects whistleblowers who report incidents of fraud committed against the state. The False Claims Act also provides a financial incentive to whistleblowers, awarding them up to 25% of any money recovered as a result of their report. The Washington Public Employees’ Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007 protects public employees from retaliatory action taken by their employer if they report a violation of law, rule, or regulation. This act also provides a financial incentive, allowing whistleblowers to receive up to 50% of any recovered funds. In summary, whistleblowing is the act of reporting wrongdoing and whistleblower protection is the legal protection granted to those same whistleblowers to protect them from employer retaliation. Washington state has several laws designed to protect whistleblowers, including the Whistleblower Act of 1989, the False Claims Act, and the Public Employees’ Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007.

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What is the difference between whistleblowing and whistleblowing protection?

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