FAQs Archive

What Virginia laws prohibit retaliation against an employee for reporting discrimination?

Both state and federal law prohibits employers in Virginia from retaliating against employees for reporting discrimination.

What is anticipatory retaliation?

Anticipatory retaliation occurs when an employer takes or threatens to take an adverse employment action against an employee before that employee reports alleged discrimination or engages in other protected activity. An employer anticipatorily retaliates when it takes or threatens to take an adverse employment action in order to dissuade or discourage the employee from engaging in future protected activity.

How to file a discrimination complaint in Virginia

A Virginia employee alleging discrimination under the VA HRA must file a complaint with the Division of Human Rights(DHR) before filing in court. An employee must file with DHR within 300 days of when the discrimination occurred.

What Damages or Remedies Can a Virginia Employee Recover in a Discrimination Lawsuit?

Under the Virginia Human Rights Act (VA HRA) as amended by the Virginia Values Act (SB 868), as of July 1, 2020 a prevailing employee in a discrimination case under state law may recover significant damages.

Are Whistleblowers in Virginia Eligible for Whistleblower Rewards or Bounties?

An individual who blows the whistle on fraud on the state including misuse of state funds is eligible for a reward under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (VFATA), Va. Code § 8.01-216.1 et seq. VFATA prohibits fraud on the state government and provides for whistleblower rewards for those who uncover such waste of taxpayer funds. The VFATA closely mirrors the federal False Claims Act.

If you are seeking representation concerning a potential whistleblower rewards or whistleblower retaliation case, call our whistleblower lawyers today at 202-262-8959.

Does OSHA protect the confidentiality of a witness in an OSHA whistleblower investigation?

OSHA is required to protect the confidentiality of a witness in a whistleblower investigation to the fullest extent possible under the law. In fact, where witnesses wish to remain confidential in an OSHA investigation, the investigator is required at the start of the interview to say, “Your interview will be protected to the fullest extent of the law.” See US DOL Memo, Clarification of the Express Promise of Confidentiality Prior to Confidential Witness Interviews, https://www.whistleblowers.gov/memo/2016-07-15.

What Virginia laws reward or protect whistleblowers?

If you have suffered retaliation for whistleblowing, it is critical to retain an experienced Virginia whistleblower lawyer to thoroughly assess potential claims and devise a strategy to maximize your recovery.

To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at (202) 262-8959.

How Much Can a Whistleblower Get Paid?

Can You Get Money for Whistleblowing? The U.S. government has several whistleblower-reward programs that provide financial awards to whistleblowers for exposing certain types of wrongdoing. … Continued

What laws protect health care whistleblowers against retaliation in Maryland?

Collapse What laws protect health care whistleblowers in Maryland? The Maryland Health Care Worker Whistleblower Protection Act, Md. Health Occ. § 1-501 et seq. protects … Continued

What laws protect health care whistleblowers against retaliation in Virginia?

Collapse What laws protect health care whistleblowers in Virginia? VA Code Ann. §§ 63.2-1730 and 31 protect certain health care workers from retaliation for reporting … Continued

Does retaliation against an employee due to the employee’s testimony in federal court violate civil rights laws?

Yes. In Haddle v. Garrison, 525 U.S. 121 (1998), the Supreme Court held that terminating an employee in furtherance of a conspiracy to retaliate against him for … Continued

What is a Ponzi scheme?

What is a Ponzi scheme? A Ponzi scheme is a type of investment fraud that leads investors to believe the “returns” on their investments are … Continued

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