Denver CO Whistleblower Protection Attorney
Over the years, whistleblowers have continued to be some of the most important individuals exposing injustices and unlawful action, and without the courage and legal protections for whistleblowers, then illegal action can continue without anyone knowing better. Therefore, if you inform the authorities (or even journalists) that your employer was engaging in an illegal activity, you have certain protections.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for employers to try and retaliate against whistleblowers, such as by firing them from their job, decreasing pay, or committing other unlawful action. If you exposed an illegal action via whistleblowing, and your employer retaliated against you, then you need to contact the Civil Rights Litigation Group for the leading whistleblower protection attorney in Denver, CO. Don’t hesitate and call our Denver office today at (720) 515-6165.
Whistleblower Protection Act
It is important to note that Colorado is known as an at-will employment state, which means that employers and employees can terminate the working relationship without reason or cause. However, employers cannot fire an employee for certain reasons, such as due to discrimination, retaliation, or other reasons. In terms of whistleblowing, employees are protected by the federal Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA,5 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.). Unfortunately, this act only protects employees working for the federal government.
Colorado Whistleblower Laws
So, the Whistleblower Protection Act only protects federal employees. Fortunately, Colorado state law includes two statutes, including:
- Colorado Revised Statutes Section 24-50.5-103, which protects public and state employees
- Colorado Revised Statutes Section 24-114-102, which protects private sector employees
These laws aim to protect employees from some of the following retaliatory (and unlawful) actions:
- Blacklisting
- Demoting
- Firing
- Making threats
- Reducing pay
- Reassignment to a less desirable position
It is important to note that there are some exceptions to the whistleblower laws for both private and public sector employees. For instance, whistleblower protections don’t apply when:
- An employee discloses information that he/she knows is false
- An employee discloses information with a reckless regard to the truth
- An employee discloses information from public records that are closed to public inspection
- An employee discloses otherwise confidential information
Furthermore, an important requirement is that employees must inform their supervisors or another internal authority before disclosing the information to an outside source.
Contact the Civil Rights Litigation Group in Denver CO
Standing up against illegal action, and going against your employer, is a very courageous thing to do, and the actions of whistleblowers in the past have helped protect environmental resources, protect against discrimination or sexual harassment, and a myriad of other illegal activities. As such, if an employer retaliates against a whistleblower, then you need the protections of a leading civil rights attorney. We at the Civil Rights Litigation Group vigorously pursue lawsuits against employers who have retaliated against whistleblowers, and we’ll fight for compensation for the damages you incurred. For a free, no-obligation consultation with the Civil Rights Litigation Group, call our Denver CO law firm today at (720) 515-6165.
