Employers in California have a duty to uphold certain standards. The majority of companies take this very seriously and take care to follow the law and the regulations to which they’re subject..
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are times when employers fall below the required legal standards. If this cannot be solved internally, workers may have no option but to report misconduct to outside authorities. This is commonly referred to as whistleblowing. Outlined below are some examples.
Reporting safety issues
Some jobs are more hazardous than others, but employers must take every precaution to ensure that workers are as safe as possible. For instance, on construction sites, risk assessments should be carried out and workers must be provided with the adequate safety equipment. If a worker feels that their safety, and that of their coworkers, has been jeopardized, then they have a legal right to report this without facing retaliation.
Reporting discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace is unlawful. If an employee faces or notices discriminatory activity based on a person’s skin color, gender, religion or other protected characteristic, then they have a right to report it without facing penalties. Even if the employee has not faced discrimination themselves, they are entitled to report it on another person’s behalf without ramifications.
Whistleblowing can apply to all unethical or illegal activities carried out in the workplace. Retaliation occurs when a worker has faced punishments, such as slashed hours or even termination because they have acted as a whistleblower. If you’re in a similar situation, make sure you look into your legal options.