Whistleblower Protection

Outten & Golden attorneys are experienced in advising employees on how to “blow the whistle” on employer wrongdoing. Our lawyers also have years of experience representing employees who have been retaliated against for blowing the whistle, whether in negotiations, agency proceedings, litigation, or arbitration. The laws that protect whistleblowers usually require that certain filing deadlines, called statutes of limitations, be met in order for legal claims to be preserved. Other prerequisites, like following internal complaint procedures, may also be required. For these reasons, it is important to consult with an attorney early, before blowing the whistle if possible. 

Various federal, state, and city laws protect employees who blow the whistle on employer wrongdoing. For example, the law protects from retaliation whistleblowers who report incidents of discrimination, violations of securities laws like Sarbanes-Oxley and the Dodd-Frank Act, and misappropriation of government funds (qui tam claims). Other laws protect whistleblowers in certain industries, including Air and Rail Transportation, Nuclear Energy, Health Care, Defense Contracts, and Consumer Products Manufacturing. In some circumstances, whistleblowers who report wrong-doing may be eligible for rewards.