Who Are Whistleblowers and What Laws Protect Them?
Whistleblowers disclose waste, fraud, or other corporate wrongdoing either publicly or by skipping the chain of command and going through other than normal channels. Whether whistleblowing employees are concerned about others, about personally being liable for failing to speak up, or are venting job frustration, they are bringing to the surface a problem that is already festering or may potentially be much more damaging if left unresolved. Employees who are discharged for whistleblowing are increasingly suing their employers for wrongful discharge, alleging that the discharge violates public policy and thus constitutes a public policy exception to the general rule of employment-at-will that exists in most states. Under California law, even an employee who was merely disciplined for whistleblowing was permitted to sue his employer for damages.
