These days, businesses and other establishments are constantly looking for ways to cut costs and save money. Unfortunately, this sometimes gives business owners and leaders enough incentive to participate in unethical activity. Unfortunately, employees who witness and report this unethical activity often face retaliatory acts such as wrongful termination. Whistleblower laws offer protection for California workers who report illegal or unethical activity in the workplace.
A man in another state filed a lawsuit against his former employer over claims that his termination violated whistleblower laws. According to the lawsuit, the man worked as an engineer for the city. The lawsuit said that state laws required cities to have a licensed engineer to work on certain public works tasks. However, the man alleged that the city excluded licensed engineers despite requirements and chose to engage in unlicensed engineering practices.
He claimed that the city was using regular city workers to supervise projects that required an engineer. The plaintiff believed the unethical activity was a public safety issue, so he reported the violations to city officials and the board in his state, the lawsuit said. Allegedly, the man was fired not long after this. A jury sided with the plaintiff and awarded him over $2 million in damages.
Workers in the state of California have a right to speak up about illegal or unethical activity in the workplace without fear of retaliation. Unfortunately, employers can and do retaliate against employees for speaking up. Any individual who has been unfairly terminated from his or her job could benefit by seeking the services of a knowledgeable employment law attorney. A successful wrongful termination claim could result in financial relief as well as reinstatement, if desired.
