Key Takeaways
- Attorney Leo B. Dubler, III, is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney under the Supreme Court of New Jersey with more than 27 years of experience representing employees in whistleblower and retaliation cases.
- The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC, offers a free initial consultation for whistleblower claims, and because CEPA is a fee-shifting statute, a successful client may recover attorney’s fees and costs from the employer.
- The firm’s Mount Laurel office is located a short drive from Cherry Hill, the largest township in Camden County, and the firm serves whistleblowers throughout Cherry Hill, Camden County, and Burlington County.
- New Jersey whistleblower settlements and verdicts vary widely, from routine back-pay awards to six- and seven-figure results, since CEPA allows recovery of back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, and punitive damages.
Reporting fraud, safety violations, or illegal conduct at work takes courage, and New Jersey law protects it. Employees throughout Camden County, including workers who commute through Cherry Hill along Route 70 and Route 38, sometimes find that speaking up leads to demotion, reduced hours, or termination rather than praise. A Cherry Hill whistleblower lawyer at The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC, explains what New Jersey law allows an employee to do when retaliation follows a good-faith report, and why acting quickly protects a person’s job and financial future.
What Counts as Whistleblower Retaliation Under New Jersey Law?
New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act, known as CEPA, protects employees who report, object to, or refuse to participate in illegal conduct at work. An employer violates CEPA when it demotes, suspends, terminates, or punishes a worker for reporting fraud, safety violations, or discrimination, even when the employee reports only to a supervisor, not a government agency. An employee need not prove the underlying conduct actually violated the law, since a reasonable, good-faith belief satisfies CEPA’s protection standard.
Common Warning Signs of Employer Retaliation
Retaliation often appears through sudden negative performance reviews, exclusion from meetings, reduced work hours, or an unexpected termination shortly after a complaint. Employers rarely admit their motive, so timing between the report and the adverse action often becomes key evidence. Employees should document every incident, save relevant emails, and record the dates of any complaints made to a supervisor or outside agency.
What to Do if You Face Retaliation
An employee who suspects retaliation should preserve all records tied to the original complaint and the treatment that followed, since CEPA claims depend heavily on documentation. New Jersey law allows only one year from the date of the retaliatory action to file a CEPA lawsuit, so an employee should consult a lawyer promptly rather than wait to see if the situation improves. A lawyer can also advise on whether a related federal or state statute applies.
Compensation Available Under CEPA
CEPA allows a successful employee to recover back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, and, in especially egregious cases, punitive damages. Because CEPA is a fee-shifting statute, a court can also order the employer to pay the employee’s attorney’s fees and litigation costs. This structure removes the financial barrier that might discourage an employee from standing up to a well-resourced employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a whistleblower claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally requires a CEPA lawsuit within one year of the retaliatory action, a shorter deadline than many other employment claims.
Do I need to report misconduct to a government agency to be protected?
No. CEPA protects employees who report concerns internally to a supervisor, so an employee need not contact an outside agency to qualify for protection.
What does The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC, charge for a consultation?
The firm offers a free initial consultation for whistleblower and retaliation claims.
Cherry Hill Whistleblower Lawyers at The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC, Will Protect Your Rights
If your employer subjected you to retaliation for a good-faith report, the Cherry Hill whistleblower lawyers at The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC, can help you build a strong case and will protect your rights. Contact us online or call us at 856-235-7075. With offices in Mount Laurel and Atlantic City, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.