CDF partner Alison Tsao and law clerk Sophia Jimenez author the article "Calif. Whistleblower Decision Signals Change For Employers" for Law360.
Excerpt:
"California Labor Code, Section 1102.5(b) prohibits employers from retaliating against "whistleblowing" employees for disclosing information about suspected violations of law to (1) a person with authority over the employee, (2) another employee who has the authority to investigate, discover or correct the violation, or (3) a government or law enforcement agency. Previously, California courts interpreted the term "disclosure" to require the revelation of something new, which effectively removed whistleblower protection for an employee who reported a violation that was already known to the employer. However, a recent decision by the California Supreme Court expands whistleblower protections to include an employee's report of a violation or suspected violation of the law regardless of whether the employer already knew of the violation. The ruling significantly broadens whistleblower protections for California employees, and as a result, employers should strengthen reporting procedures and clearly document any incident that may lead to disciplinary action of a protected employee."
To read the full article, click here.