Also, several other California statutes contain anti-retaliation provisions. California follows the employment-at-will doctrine, which means employees can be fired for any reason. The California Whistleblower Protection Act (the "Act"), which gives the California State Auditor the authority to receive and investigate complaints about improper governmental activities, also protects every state employee who files a complaint from suffering any retaliation by his or her state employer for having made the complaint. The California whistleblower statute, §1102.5 of the California Labor Code, is more broad-based than the federal statute. Whistleblowers are thus protected under both this statute and the common law public policy exception. It is illegal for any employer to discharge or take any “adverse action” against an employee who engages in certain forms of “protected conduct,” such as filing an employment discrimination complaint. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of whistleblower cases. A Summary of California Whistleblower Laws. California Labor Code 1102.5 for Whistleblowers. California’s Whistleblower Protection Act found in Government Code § 9149 protects those who disclose improper government activities, including but not limited to violations of state or federal laws or regulations, economic wage, or gross misconduct. California has strict, well-defined laws that protect whistleblowers in both the public and private workplaces. To ensure that whistleblower claims are properly addressed, California Labor Code Section 1102.5 also offers protection for employees who report either state or federal law violations. We have put together resources for everyone from potential whistleblowers to policymakers to journalists to help educate them on major laws, best practices, and more. AG Hotline (800) 952-5225 • (916) 210-6276 Other Resources: California law prohibits employer retaliation in response to an employee’s protected activity, like a valid whistleblower complaint. California’s informant law was reinforced in 2014 when three extra laws were ordered and added to the California Whistleblower Protection Act. Whistleblower protection laws have been created to protect whistleblowers from retaliation by the companies or agencies involved. California Whistleblower laws are strong for public and private employees in California. These laws provide different types of whistleblowers protection and can be used by attorneys to pursue your case. Whistleblower laws around the world are complex, offering varying levels of protections and awards to those people who come forward to report waste, fraud, and abuse. Employers who retaliate against a person considered a California whistleblower are subject to civil penalties. The original Whistleblower Protection Act (1986) and more recent Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (2012) protect federal employees against retaliation by agencies they work for. Types of Whistleblower Cases Patient Safety Cases. Notably, California has a general whistleblower protection statute that protects employees who disclose illegal activity or refuse to participate in illegal activities. In addition to sections of the state labor code, there are other california whistleblower laws. The current law effectively precluded countering against a worker who reports infringement of state laws to an administration official or the police. However, exceptions to this doctrine apply when the reason for dismissal violates the state’s public policy and statutory protections. A person considered a California whistleblower protection statute that protects employees who disclose activity... 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