Whistleblowing is a courageous act that can expose fraud, safety violations, and illegal conduct in the workplace. In Texas, private sector employees who report such misconduct may be protected under various federal and state laws. At Rob Wiley, P.C., we represent employees who have faced retaliation for doing the right thing. If you’ve blown the whistle and suffered consequences, please schedule an initial consultation to discuss your matter.
Federal laws provide protections for whistleblowers in a wide range of industries. For example, employees who report financial fraud may be protected under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the Dodd-Frank Act. Those who report securities violations to FINRA or the SEC may qualify for whistleblower awards and anti-retaliation protections. Workers in the aviation industry are protected under the FAA’s AIR21 program, while trucking employees are covered by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA).
Food safety whistleblowers are protected under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and those in the nuclear or environmental sectors may be covered by laws such as the Energy Reorganization Act or the Clean Air Act. OSHA also enforces whistleblower protections for employees who report unsafe working conditions across various industries.
Retaliation can take many forms, including termination, demotion, pay cuts, exclusion from meetings, or harassment. If these actions occur after you report misconduct, they may be illegal. Timing and documentation are key to proving a causal link between your protected activity and the adverse action.
Whistleblower protections vary depending on the law and the nature of the misconduct reported. In many cases, you must report to a government agency or participate in an investigation to be protected. Some laws also offer financial incentives for whistleblowers who help recover funds or prevent harm.
MANY WHISTLEBLOWING LAWS HAVE AN EXTREMELY SHORT DEADLINE TO TAKE ACTION – AS SHORT AS 30 DAYS. If you’ve been retaliated against for whistleblowing, don’t wait. Please contact Rob Wiley, P.C. to schedule an initial consultation with an employment lawyer and we can discuss your legal options.
