whistleblower retaliation laws Archives

Is Whistleblowing About Upcoding Protected Under the False Claims Act’s Anti-Retaliation Provision?

Yes. For example, in January 2019, Tennessee District Judge Pamela Reeves held that Thomas Forsythe, a former physical therapist at a National Health skilled … Continued

Is an employer’s knowledge of protected whistleblowing a separate element of a whistleblower retaliation case?

The Department of Labor’s Administrative Review Board has held that knowledge of protected whistleblowing is not a distinct element and instead is part of the … Continued

To engage in protected conduct, must a whistleblower cite a specific violation of law or regulation?

Scope of Sarbanes-Oxley Whistleblower Protection The Department of Labor’s Administrative Review Board and several federal courts have soundly rejected a “magic words” defense, an argument … Continued

Is a warning letter an adverse employment action?

Yes, a written warning or counseling session will be considered presumptively adverse where: (a) it is considered discipline by policy or practice; (b) it is … Continued

What is preemptive retaliation?

Preemptive Retaliation The doctrine of preemptive retaliation permits a whistleblower to bring a claim where the employer retaliates against the whistleblower prior to the whistleblower … Continued

Are disclosures about bank fraud protected under the Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower law?

SOX Whistleblower Law Protects Disclosures About Bank Fraud Yes, a disclosure about bank fraud is protected conduct (protected whistleblowing) under the whistleblower protection provision … Continued

Does Section 806 of SOX preempt other claims or remedies?

Section 806 of SOX specifically provides that “[n]othing in this section shall be deemed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee under any Federal or State law, or under any collective bargaining agreement.” 18 U.S.C. § 1514A(d). A whistleblower who is fired for refusing to commit an illegal act could bring both a SOX claim and a common-law wrongful discharge claim. Bringing the latter claim could potentially result in an award of punitive damages. But note that in some states, where there is an adequate statutory remedy to vindicate the public policy objectives, the employee can pursue a retaliation action only through the statute.

Does subjecting an employee to heightened scrutiny evidence retaliation?

Where an employer jumps on an employee’s first instance of misconduct or poor performance and subjects the employee to heightened scrutiny, the employer’s reliance on that alleged change in performance can be deemed a pretext for retaliation.

What damages can a whistleblower recover under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act?

A prevailing SOX whistleblower can recover “all relief necessary to make the employee whole,” which includes:

back pay (lost wages and benefits);
reinstatement with the same seniority that the employee would have had, were it not for the retaliation;
special damages (damages for impairment of reputation, personal humiliation, mental anguish and suffering, and other noneconomic harm that results from retaliation); and
attorney’s fees, and costs

Does SOX prohibit employers from “outing” confidential whistleblowers?

Disclosing a whistleblower’s identity may constitute an adverse employment action. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reached this conclusion in a SOX case brought by Anthony Menendez, a former director in Halliburton Inc.’s finance and accounting department.

Is constructive discharge a prohibited act of retaliation under SOX?

Is constructive discharge a prohibited act of retaliation under SOX? Retaliatory termination goes beyond “You’re fired!” Under the SOX whistleblower protection law, constructive discharge … Continued

What is the purpose of the False Claims Act whistleblower protection provision?

False Claims Act Whistleblower Protection The whistleblower protection provision of the False Claims Act encourages private citizens to act as whistleblowers when they suspect … Continued

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