Whistleblower Protection Under California Labor Law: Understanding Your Rights
Protection Against Retaliation for Reporting Violations of Law
(Labor Code 1102.5)
One of the cornerstones of whistleblower protection is found in Section 1102.05 of California’s Labor Code. This statute prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report suspected illegal activities or violations of law, and applies to both public and private sector workers.
Whistleblowing protections cover a broad range of activities, including fraud, violations of safety laws, environmental regulations, and more. Employees are also protected if they refuse to engage in activities that would violate these laws or public policy. Retaliation has many forms, and each of the following examples below can be considered retaliatory behavior when done in response to an employee’s whistleblowing:
- Demotion;
- Termination;
- Harassment;
- Other adverse employment actions
Protection Against Retaliation for Reporting Workplace
Violations (Lab. C. 98.6)
Another key provision of the Labor Code offering whistleblower protection is Section 98.6 of the California Labor Code. In short, this statute prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing complaints or participating in investigations regarding their rights. Complaints by an employee can take various forms including;
- Reporting wage and hour violations;
- Refusing to engage in activities that would violate labor laws, including wage and hour laws,
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