A whistleblower claim occurs when an individual, often an employee, reports misconduct within their organization. These claims can span a wide range of issues, from financial fraud and health and safety violations to breaches of public trust. Here are some fictional examples: Potential whistleblowers often grapple with the fear of retaliation, making anonymity a crucial concern. Can you remain anonymous as a whistleblower? The answer is complex and largely depends on the nature of the allegations, the specific laws involved,[…] Read More
Category: Whistleblower/Qui Tam Claims
What Is a Qui Tam Lawsuit?
A qui tam lawsuit allows individuals to sue on behalf of the United States to recover money that was fraudulently obtained by a person or corporation. Under the federal False Claims Act, liability is put on the people and companies who defraud the government. Individuals who file qui tam complaints are referred to as “whistleblowers.” Qui tam lawsuits are filed “under seal,” which means they are kept confidential so only the government is aware of the claim. The person or entity[…] Read More
What Is Whistleblower Retaliation?
If you have reported fraud, abuse, or misconduct in your workplace, you may be considered a whistleblower. In New Jersey, it is illegal for an employer to take any adverse action against an employee who reports wrongdoing. This means that if you are retaliated against for whistleblowing, you may be able to file a claim. Whistleblower retaliation can take many forms. Some common examples include: If you are experiencing any of these adverse actions after whistleblowing, you may have a[…] Read More
What Protections Do Whistleblowers Have in New Jersey?
New Jersey has clear and strong legal protections for employees who act as a whistleblower. Several federal laws also protect employees who speak out against their employer for unlawful activities. The bottom line is that retaliation against an employee for whistleblowing is illegal in New Jersey. One of New Jersey’s most stringent laws that protect whistleblowers is its first, enacted in 1986: the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA). CEPA is one of the most encompassing whistleblower protection laws[…] Read More
Can Employers Retaliate Against Whistleblowers?
Even though whistleblowing is often reported in the news, it is not always easy to understand what happens to the actual whistleblower. Many employees may fear whistleblowing because they do not know what position they will be in after they speak out. Today, there are more whistleblowers than ever due to the #MeToo movement. Employees became more willing to report what they saw. Harvard Business Review stated that whistleblowers are crucial to keeping firms healthy, since they can make companies and[…] Read More