The unfortunate reality of the business world is that no matter where you go, there will always be businesses and management that operate unethically or unlawfully. Of course, though these bad actors are few and far between, they are, nevertheless, always a part of the overall commercial landscape. Fortunately, there are certain individuals who see these unlawful or unethical practices and bring them to the attention of authorities, whether within the company or not. However, oftentimes, these individuals, though only acting in the best interest of themselves and others, are retaliated against. Please continue reading and reach out to our experienced Georgia employee rights attorney today to learn more about whistleblowers and how our firm can help you if you believe you have been unfairly retaliated against. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is someone who, after witnessing certain unlawful/unethical activity, such as shady financial acts, injuries left undocumented, unsafe working conditions, and more, informs higher authorities or governing bodies of the misdeeds. Unfortunately, though perhaps predictably, when someone calls out management for a wrongdoing, they are often fired or otherwise retaliated against. Some of the most common retaliation tactics are as follows:
- Denial of overtime pay
- Blacklisting
- Reduction of pay
- Demotions
- Disciplinary action
- Unfair termination
Are whistleblowers protected under Georgia law?
Fortunately, the Georgia Whistleblower Act, the Occupational Safety & Health Act, as well as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act can protect whistleblowers from unlawful retaliation. That being said, Georgia’s law usually only protects whistleblowers when reporting discrimination, either due to someone’s disability or gender or while reporting fraud against state or local government employers. Rather obviously, this excludes a wide variety of employers and scenarios, which is why you must speak with an attorney if you feel your rights as a whistleblower have been violated.
Are whistleblowers protected by OSHA?
Fortunately, many whistleblowers are relieved to learn that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does actively protect their rights via the Occupational Safety and Health Act so they may continue to report injustices in the workplace without fearing for their job security. For any additional questions about your rights as a whistleblower in Georgia, reach out to our experienced Atlanta employment law attorney 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.
