Retaliation and Whistleblower Protection

Overview

CPM is committed to protecting the rights of employees who have been unlawfully retaliated against by their employers. Federal, state and local laws generally bar employers from retaliating against workers for taking legally protected actions, including reporting an employer’s violation or potential violation of the law. In California, it is unlawful to terminate an employee in violation of public policy--so-called Tameny actions--which can include terminations for reporting potentially unlawful conduct.

Anti-retaliation laws may cover employees even if they report violations internally–that is, to their employer–rather than to law enforcement or another governmental body. (Visit CPM’s Whistleblower Practice page for details on protections available to employee whistleblowers under major state and federal laws.) Retaliation in the workplace may take many forms, including termination, demotion, pay cuts or disproportionate denial of raises, denial of monetary benefits, harassment or hostile work environment, or the issuance of threats.

For more information about your legal rights as an employee, or to discuss a potential legal matter, please follow up with Adam Zapala.