Whistleblower Protection

What Is Whistleblower Protection? Whistleblower protection refers to the body of federal and state laws that shield employees from retaliation when they report illegal, unethical, or unsafe practices in the workplace. These protections encourage the disclosure of wrongdoing by ensuring that employees can report concerns without fear of losing their jobs or facing other adverse consequences. ## Key Federal Whistleblower Laws - **Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)** protects employees of publicly traded companies who report securities fraud - **Dodd-Frank Act** provides financial rewards and protection for reporting securities violations to the SEC - **False Claims Act** protects and rewards individuals who report fraud against the government - **OSHA whistleblower statutes** protect workers who report safety and health violations - **Whistleblower Protection Act** covers federal government employees ## Protected Activities Protected activities include reporting violations to government agencies, cooperating with investigations, refusing to participate in illegal activities, and internal reporting through company channels. Employers are prohibited from terminating, demoting, harassing, or otherwise retaliating against whistleblowers. Available remedies typically include reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, and in some cases, a percentage of recovered funds.