As you may know, it is not unheard of that injustices occur in the workplace, and though we’d like to think that we live in a time where people realize that they cannot conduct illicit or illegal behavior without getting caught, this is simply untrue, and oftentimes, people will take their chances. When someone notices that illicit behavior is occurring among the higher-ups of a company, especially when that wrongdoing comes at the expense of their employees, there is a very good chance that the employee in question will seek to bring this wrongdoing to the forefront in an effort to attain justice. In many cases, reporting illicit or illegal activity occurring within a company would classify someone as a whistleblower. While this is the right thing to do, in many cases, whistleblowers will find themselves being retaliated against by their employers. This is both wrong and illegal. If this has happened to you, then you must read on and speak with our knowledgeable Georgia employment law attorney today. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What is a whistleblower, specifically?
Essentially, a whistleblower is someone who, knowing his or her career may be in jeopardy, seeks to report unethical or downright illegal actions conducted by his or her employer. In most cases, whistleblower reports involve money being illegally spent or received by a company or a member of a company, though in other cases they may deal with unsafe working conditions or any other form of activity that harms employees or others. That being said, there are times where whistleblowers are retaliated against, either by their employer reducing their pay, demoting them, taking extreme disciplinary action against them, or even firing them.
Are whistleblowers protected under OSHA?
Yes. Whistleblowers who report unsafe working conditions are protected under OSHA, meaning that you are protected from retaliation for reporting unsafe conditions. Furthermore, whistleblowers who report other acts of wrongdoing are also protected under the Georgia Whistleblower Act, which states that whistleblowers are exempt from retaliation after reporting internal wrongdoing. If you were retaliated against by your employer after reporting such an act, then there is a very good chance you will have a valid case against him or her. Our firm is here to help. Give us a call today.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM
If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.
