What Protections Are Available If I Face Retaliation for Whistleblowing?
The state, through the South Carolina Whistleblower Act and other relevant authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, provides strong protections for whistleblowers. Whistleblowing is risky for employees because they cannot be certain whether or not their employer will retaliate.
Unfortunately, even though there are various federal and state laws that protect whistleblowers from being retaliated against by their employers, many employers still choose to engage in unlawful retaliation practices. If you believe or know for certain you are facing retaliation for whistleblowing, reach out to a Greenville, SC, whistleblower retaliation lawyer right away to learn how you can preserve your legal rights and secure damages from your employer.
What Exactly is Retaliation?
Retaliation occurs when an employer retaliates against their employee to punish them for reporting a workplace law violation or exercising their legal workplace rights. Employers typically retaliate through:
- Termination
- Denying employee benefits
- Demotion
- Threats
- Restricted work hours
- Reduced pay
- Negative performance evaluations
- Blacklisting
What Laws Offer Whistleblower Protections in Greenville, SC?
There are various laws that can protect you from retaliation, with the following being the most common:
- Workplace Safety and Health Laws – Your employer can’t terminate you for reporting to OSHA or internally a safety or health violation at work.
- Wage and Hour Laws – You cannot be terminated for reporting to the DOL or your company your employer’s failure to pay you the proper wage or overtime or provide breaks, among others.
- Workers’ Compensation Laws – You cannot get fired or otherwise retaliated against if you suffer a workplace injury and file a workers’ comp claim.
- Discrimination and Harassment Laws – Your employer can’t fire you for reporting workplace discrimination or harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or your human resources manager. You also can’t be terminated for engaging in investigations related to your complaint or exercising your workplace rights, such as asking for reasonable accommodations for your religious practices or disability.
- Leave Laws – Your employer cannot terminate you for taking lawful leaves as provided in the Family and Medical Leave Act or other relevant laws, for taking paid sick leave, for taking workers’ comp leave, or taking leave to do jury duty or vote, among others.
Reach Out to Our Greenville, SC, Whistleblower Retaliation Lawyer Now
At Ryan Beasley Law, we believe that no whistleblower should be punished for doing the right thing. Our Greenville, SC, whistleblower retaliation lawyers understand the complexities of whistleblower retaliation claims and can thoroughly review your case, know specific laws that apply to your case, and calculate and establish the value of your claim.
They can also help you figure out the most beneficial way to secure damages from your employer, whether through strategic negotiations, taking your case to court, or filing a report with the appropriate government entity. Damages typically include reinstatement, back pay, front pay, legal and court fees, pain and suffering, punitive damages, and an award or bounty.
Learn how our Greenville, SC, whistleblower retaliation lawyer will handle your claim by scheduling your consultation online or by phone at 864-679-7777.