No employee should have to fear corrective action for shedding light on illegal conduct. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for managers and superiors to retaliate when the unlawful activity in which they are engaging is exposed. In California and across the United States, whistleblower laws protect workers from retaliation when they blow the whistle and report illegal conduct in the workplace. When an employer violates these laws, legal action can be pursued.
Recently in San Francisco, a man filed a lawsuit against his former employer after he was subjected to alleged retaliation for reporting illegal activity. The man worked for the company for almost two years as a business services consultant. The man alleges that his manager forced him and other employees to spend a significant amount of their workday selling services for another business where his manager worked on the side.
The man claims that he reported the alleged unethical activity to other management and human resources, but his concerns were ignored. The lawsuit says that the plaintiff’s manager became aware of his complaints and retaliated against him. The man claims he was fired and given the reason of poor performance, although he had consistently received positive job reviews throughout his time of employment. The plaintiff seeks damages for lost wages and emotional distress.
A person should never be punished for doing the right thing in any walk of life. However, when an employee in California is subjected to retaliation for reporting unethical or illegal activity, he or she can take action. A successful lawsuit could result in rightful compensation to replace lost wages and guide victims through this tumultuous experience.