No one wants to work in an unsafe environment or for an employer to engage in fraudulent activity. Whistleblowers are essential to maintaining the integrity of business in the workplace and keeping working conditions safe. Whistleblowers are protected under Georgia state law. Contact our Atlanta whistleblower protection attorney to learn more about how we can protect you against retaliation in the workplace as a whistleblower.
What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is an employee who informs higher-ups of unsafe working conditions, undocumented injuries, and fraudulent financial activity in a business. This not only protects themselves but their fellow colleagues from being held responsible for their bosses’ wrongdoings and prevents things from being swept under the rug.
What kinds of retaliation may I face in the workplace?
Being penalized in the workplace for reporting wrongdoing to protect the business and fellow colleagues is wrong and it should not happen. Unfortunately, many employees find that they are punished by management as a result.
Common forms of retaliation one might face are as follows:
- Wrongful termination
- Reduction of pay
- Demotion
- Disciplinary action
- Denial of overtime pay
- Blacklisting
- Unfair termination
Which laws can be used to protect me?
There are three laws that can be used to protect employees in the state of Georgia:
The Georgia Whistleblower Act
This law typically only protects employees reporting discrimination in the workplace against individuals with disabilities or based on gender and fraudulent business transactions.
The Occupational Safety & Health Act
The Occupational Safety & Health Act protects the rights of whistleblowers, so they can continue to maintain the integrity of the business and safe work environments. The act also sets and enforces workplace standards by providing training, outreach, and education on the policies.
The Sarbanes- Oxley Act
The Sarbanes- Oxley Act was created because of widespread corporate fraud. The act sets new standards to reduce conflict of interest in the workplace and transfers responsibility for the accurate handling of financial reports.
The above three laws do not protect the employee from reporting all unethical or unlawful workplace practices. This results in many people not coming forward with information in fear of being retaliated against. It is important you speak with a knowledgeable Atlanta employment rights attorney who can help you understand your rights.
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.
