Whistleblower Protection

The American workplace has changed dramatically over the past few years. More workers share positions, work remotely, or do “gig work” rather than having full-time jobs. This changing landscape sometimes exposes conduct by an employer or co-worker that is fraudulent or otherwise illegal that may have gone unnoticed or unreported for many years. It can also lead to new kinds of unlawful activity, like improper payment of workers or misuse of public funds. If you observe or suspect your employer is engaging in illegal activity, know your rights and responsibilities before blowing the whistle.

Late this summer, the city of Vineland, New Jersey, entered into a $425,000 settlement agreement with veteran police officer Richard Burke. Officer Burke, who agreed to retire under the terms of the settlement, made claims against the department for violation of New Jersey’s Whistleblower Law (also known as the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, or CEPA). This law protects employees from being terminated or suffering other retaliatory action for reporting situations at work where they reasonably believe their employer or one of its agents is acting in violation of a law including engaging in criminal or fraudulent practices.