Our firm assists employees who have been retaliated against for blowing the whistle on illegal and/or unethical practices in their workplace.
Whistleblower/Retaliation
We represent numerous employees and former employees who have faced retaliation for whistleblowing because they disclosed to a supervisor or public body, or testified before a public body about, or objected to or refused to participate in, an activity, practice, or policy of the employer, which they reasonably believed violated a law, rule, or regulation; or was fraudulent or criminal; or was against a clear mandate of public policy related to public health, safety or welfare or protection of the environment. Other employees and former employees faced retaliation for taking leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act or the New Jersey Family Leave Act. Others were fired or demoted or otherwise retaliated against because they applied for worker’s compensation. We also represent individuals whose employers retaliated against them for complaining about discrimination within the workplace.
State Whistleblowing in NJ
Our clients who work in New Jersey benefit from the protections of the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act, N.J. Stat. § 34:19-1, also known by its acronym “CEPA,” or the “Whistleblower Act.” This law protects employees who report on their employers’ violations of the law or public policies, from retaliation by their employers. This is true whether the employee works for a private or a public employer.
Retaliation
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits employers from taking reprisals against any employee who files a complaint of discrimination, testifies, or assists in any proceeding brought under the LAD.
Whistleblowing in the Federal Sector
Under the WPEA, a federal employee whistleblower is protected even where the employer’s conduct turns out not to be unlawful, so long as the employee had a reasonable belief that the employer’s activity was against the law. Also, the WPEA makes clear that federal employees are protected even when the report is made in the course of the employees’ normal duties.
Whistleblowing Protection
Our firm assists employees who have been retaliated against for blowing the whistle on illegal and/or unethical practices in their workplace.