Whistleblowers are employees who play a crucial role in the workplace. A whistleblower may report illegal practices witnessed at work. Employees who report unlawful practices hold employers accountable for their actions. Also, whistleblowers who report these illegal or unsafe activities can prevent their employers from partaking in such activities.
However, the law protects whistleblowers from retaliation. If an employee reports illegal activity committed by the employer, the employer cannot retaliate against the employee.
New Jersey Protects Whistleblowers
The New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) protects employees who report unlawful practices in the workplace. Whistleblowers cannot be fired, demoted, or mistreated if they speak up about illegal activity they witness. This whistleblower statute prohibits employers from retaliating against these concerned employees. Under CEPA (frequently referred to as New Jersey’s “Whistleblower Act”), employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who report illegal activity. Under CEPA, it is illegal to retaliate against an employee who:
- Informs a supervisor or the public about an illegal activity, policy, or practice.
- Provides information or testifies during an investigation, hearing, or inquiry involving the employer.
- Provides information that the employer deceived or misrepresented a shareholder, client, investor, or patient.
- Provides information about an activity on behalf of the employer that they believe to be illegal.
- Objects to, or refuses to participate in, an activity, policy, or practice that they believe is illegal or against the best interest of public health or safety.
Whistleblowers hold their employers accountable. However, employees who report illegal activity take a risk when reporting their employers. Fortunately, New Jersey law protects employees from retaliation.
Whistleblower Protections
Employees should feel safe and secure reporting illegal activity. Whistleblowers should not also fear losing their jobs when trying to do the right thing. When employees witness unlawful actions, they have the right to refuse participation and to report activities to the authorities. If an employee does report fraudulent activity, the employer cannot then retaliate against the employee. If an employer does retaliate against a whistleblower, the law is on the whistleblower’s side.
Let Us Help You
If an employer retaliates in response to a whistleblower’s report, an experienced whistleblower lawyer can help protect the whistleblower’s job and rights. An employee who suffers retaliation may be entitled to compensation, including money for economic losses, recovery of wages, emotional distress, and more.
Red Bank CEPA Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Represent Victims of Retaliation in Whistleblower Cases
You have the right to report unsafe or illegal practices you witness in the workplace without fear of retaliation. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting unlawful activity. To share your story, contact an experienced Red Bank whistleblower lawyer at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. today. Call our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500, our Marlton office at 856-985-9800, or our Newark office at 973-878-9040.
We offer free consultations to clients in Marlton, Cherry Hill, Middletown, Red Bank and throughout New Jersey.