If you believe you are facing whistleblower retaliation, read on and give our firm a call today to discuss your options with a skilled Chesterfield County whistleblower protection attorney.
DOES VIRGINIA PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS FROM RETALIATION?
In Virginia, employees cannot be punished for reporting a violation of the law or refusing to take part in criminal or illicit activity. It is essential to note that as an employee if you experienced an investigation or inquiry into a company that is suspected of wrongdoing, you may also be safe from retaliation from your employer. Additionally, employees who collaborate with governmental bodies or law enforcement agencies by attesting or providing them with information concerning an alleged violation of the law by their employer should also be kept safe from retaliation. Employees facing this situation may be protected from retaliation under Virginia law and may also be covered at the federal level, under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the False Claims Act, or even other statutes.
If you believe that you have been retaliated against by your employer, it is in your best interest to reach out to our firm today to discuss the details of your case and your legal options. Our firm is committed to ensuring your rights are protected.
WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE IF I WAS RETALIATED AGAINST BY MY EMPLOYER?
To begin, if you accused your employer of discrimination, you need to consider if your boss’ reaction is an adverse action under the law. Examples of this can include: firing, demoting, or making the work environment stressful and difficult to continue working. You will also need to have concrete proof. You can do this by informing another senior staff member of the issue at the organization and keeping the evidence, especially if it was reported in an email.
Because the court is going to want to know what you did, what the result was, and if the two are related, you will want to refer back to the incident and take notes right away, while the event is still fresh in your mind. Without an employer confessing to the alleged activity, collecting proof is important, including emails, witnesses, and comments made verbally.
Retaliation in the workplace is more familiar than one might think. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) remarks retaliation is “the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination in the federal sector and the most common discrimination finding in federal sector cases.” In 2014, the most cases of retaliation were reported, reaching a high of 42.8 percent, with race discrimination at 35 percent. Reach out to our firm today if you would like to learn more about your options.
CONTACT OUR VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY
If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Virginia, you can count on Passero Employment Law to effectively represent your interests. If you would like to discuss your matter, please contact Passero Employment Law today.
