How to File a Whistleblower Complaint

When illegal activity is occurring in the workplace, employees have a right to report it to the authorities or their supervisors. Unfortunately, this can lead to retaliation from employers and supervisors. If you reported illegal activity in the workplace and are now experiencing retaliation, you may have a whistleblower claim.

What Is a Whistleblower Claim?
Whistleblowing occurs when an employee reports illegal conduct at work. For example, suppose that an accountant at a business found that the company was committing shareholder fraud and reported it; that would be a form of whistleblowing.

Suppose the accountant was now receiving unwarranted poor performance reviews after they reported the crime, this would be considered retaliation. Employers often retaliate against an employee and take action to punish the employee for exercising their rights to report illegal activity in the workplace. If an employer retaliates against an employee, the employee would have a whistleblower claim.

Common Forms of Retaliation
Retaliation can occur in many different ways – often making it difficult to identify. Below we have put together a list of the most common forms of retaliation in the workplace:

Terminating or demoting the employee
Changing job duties or work schedule
Transferring the employee to another position or location
Reducing salary
Denying the employee a promotion or pay raise
How to File a Whistleblower Complaint
If you were terminated for reporting illegal activity at your place of work, or you are facing retaliation because of it, you can file a whistleblower complaint. Below we explain which steps you should take to file a complaint:

Step 1: Meet with an Attorney
Retaliation and whistleblower claims are complicated and require an experienced attorney. Having an attorney on your side will help you build a solid case to hold your employer accountable for their wrongdoing. A lawyer can review all of the facts, explain your potential claims, and estimate your compensation.

Step 2: Filing any required pre-litigation notices or complaints
Depending on your case, you may need to file a administrative complaint before you go to court. Your attorney will help you determine which steps to take prior to filing your case in court.

Step 3: Attend Court Proceedings or Mediations
Depending on how your case develops, you may need to attend court proceedings or mediations. Your attorney will explain the process and can guide you to ensure that you understand every step of the process. The goal will be to help you get the compensation you deserve for your employer’s wrongdoing and prevent it from happening to another employee.

Los Angeles Whistleblower & Retaliation Attorney
If you are facing retaliation after reporting illegal activity at work, you may have a whistleblower case. If so, you must act fast to ensure that your rights are protected. Filing a claim is a complex process that you shouldn’t have to handle it alone. Your employer will likely have a strong legal team on their side, so it’s vital that you have an attorney with vast experience in employment law. Our team at Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP has helped employees across California protect their rights against their employer’s wrongdoing. We have the knowledge and the skills needed to guide you through the whistleblower claim process.

We are ready to help you. Contact us today at (213) 310-8301 to schedule a consultation!