Are Whistleblowers Protected?
Whistleblowers serve a vital role by reporting fraud, mismanagement, safety, and health violations that pose a danger to the public. Federal laws, policies, and regulations are in effect to encourage whistleblowers to report these injustices while also protecting their jobs.
If you have faced repercussions for reporting illegal activity performed by your employer or company, our Greenville whistleblower attorneys are here to represent your interests.
Issues Protected Under Whistleblower Protection Laws
Under the law, employers are not allowed to retaliate against you for making a “protected disclosure.” Unfortunately, there are still employers who will strike back at those who report legal violations.
Thankfully, whistleblowers are offered protection regarding the following issues:
- Consumer product and food safety
- Discrimination
- Employee safety
- Family and medical leave
- Fraud and financial issues
- Health insurance
- Mine inspections
- Minimum wage
- Overtime pay
- Youth employment
Agencies Implementing Whistleblower Protections
The following agencies provide whistleblower protection to employees:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Created in 1970, OSHA serves the role of creating safe working conditions by implementing standards and providing education to workers. Employers must comply with OSHA standards, and any employee who files a complaint is free from retaliation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) establishes laws that protect discrimination against an employee’s race, color, religion, and sexual orientation. EEOC safeguards the rights of employees who are retaliated against for opposing discrimination.
Wage and Hour Division
A division under the Department of Labor, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) oversees issues pertaining to overtime pay, minimum wage, and child laborers. The WHD also enforces the Family and Medical Leave Act and protects anyone who reports employers violating the law.
National Labor Relations Board
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) allows employees working in the private sector to improve their pay and work conditions. Employees have the right to join a union without fear of being fired or demoted.
Mine Safety and Health Administration
The Mine Act protects miners from retaliation for identifying hazards, requesting inspections, or refusing to engage in unsafe activity.
Additional protections under the Mine Act include:
- Refusing to work if the miner believes that an activity jeopardizes the miner’s health or safety
- Filing a complaint under the Mine Act regarding a hazardous condition
- Permitting the miner to testify or assist in any proceeding made under the Mine Act
- Partaking in medical evaluations leading to a possible transfer if the current work site contains toxic substances harming the miner’s health
- Withdrawing from a mine due to improper safety and health training
- Exercising any other rights afforded to you under the Mine Act
Consult with a Greenville, SC, Whistleblower Attorney Now
If you have faced repercussions for reporting illegal activity within your company or organization, our legal team is ready to help. At Ryan Beasley Law, we provide aggressive representation for anyone that has suffered negative consequences as a result of whistleblowing. To schedule your initial consultation with our Greenville whistleblower attorneys, contact us online or by phone.