Costa Mesa Whistleblower Lawyer

If you have experienced or witnessed illegal activity in your workplace, such as discrimination or wage theft, you have a legal right to report it. However, whistleblowers often face retaliation or wrongful termination for doing the right thing. Working with a Costa Mesa whistleblower lawyer can help you pursue justice after experiencing violations of whistleblower laws.

The legal professionals at California Employment Counsel, APC, understand how much courage it takes to take a stand against injustice. Reporting workplace violations is a challenging first step. Let our lawyers take care of your legal case so you can move forward in life knowing you’re supported. Our mission is to protect the rights of California employees so they can live life without fear.

We have established our firm on morals and integrity, and we are highly respected for these efforts in local judicial circles.

Whistleblowing is when an employee reports illegal acts in the workplace, as they are blowing the whistle on the wrongdoings of their employer. Anyone can be a whistleblower, and these individuals are protected under California whistleblower laws and the California Whistleblower Protection Act. Examples of common instances of whistleblowing are listed below:

• You report that your employer changed your work log to report that you worked fewer hours than you actually did.
• You report that you’ve been paid less than minimum wage, less than agreed upon, or less than the hours you worked.
• You report that there is corruption in your workplace, such as illegal bribes, fraud, extortion, or nepotism.
• You report that harassment is occurring in your workplace, such as co-workers or superiors using slurs and other derogatory names about other workers, management isolating or ignoring you or a co-worker, or you or someone else is being assaulted on the job.
• You report that sexual harassment is happening in the workplace. This may involve you or a co-worker being offered a promotion in exchange for sexual favors, being touched inappropriately, or being called sexual or romantic nicknames. Other examples include being shown sexual content or being pursued sexually or romantically without your explicit, enthusiastic consent.
• You report that you’ve experienced or witnessed discriminatory acts in the workplace. California protects workers based on protected characteristics. This includes race, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national or ethnic origin, and immigration status.

In 2024, there were 64,900 workers in Costa Mesa. That year, the top employment industries in Costa Mesa included professional, scientific, and technical services, retail trade, and health care and social assistance. Major employers in Orange County include Experian Information Solutions, Menzies Aviation, and Boeing. Even if you work for one of these big-name companies, you should not feel intimidated about reporting illegal actions at your job.

If you’ve witnessed or experienced immoral or unlawful acts at your place of employment, you have a legal right to report them. You do not have to accept harmful behavior. Reporting harmful workplace behavior can be scary, but it is a courageous step to make for real change to occur. A Costa Mesa whistleblower lawyer is a great resource for learning more about how you are protected as a California employee.

When a whistleblower faces retaliation for reporting workplace violations, there are legal penalties that an employer can face if they show retaliation against the employee. Some common acts of retaliation that are protected under California whistleblower laws are listed below:

• Being passed over for a promotion, demoted, or fired
• Being ignored or excluded from essential work meetings or work events that you would have normally been invited to
• Being harassed or bullied, having your work unfairly criticized, or getting called names or slurs
• Being intimidated, threatened, or assaulted
• Being transferred
• Having your work hours changed or your pay cut without your consent

In 2024, there were 25 whistleblower retaliation complaints filed with the State Personnel Board in California. If you’ve experienced a retaliatory act because of whistleblowing, you can file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner. You have one year from the date of the incident to file your complaint.

To prove harmful workplace acts or that you’ve experienced retaliation, gather as much evidence as possible. Examples of strong evidence are listed below:

• Any records of communication relevant to the case, including voicemails, emails, text messages, official memos, and other types of documentation
• Official documents regarding the incident, such as pay stubs, the employee handbook, a letter of termination, or demotion
• Testimony from coworkers or other people who witnessed the acts in person
• Security footage of the incidents caught on tape, especially in cases of physical or sexual harassment, assault cases, and also as evidence of intimidation, threats, and other forms of bullying
• A written, detailed timeline of events, including the dates and times of incidents, names of those involved, witnesses, and other key details about what happened

Avoid deleting any communication between you and the perpetrator, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Also, avoid posting on social media about the situation, as well as recording the perpetrator in secret, as this is illegal in California and can harm your case.

If you’ve experienced or seen any of these types of incidents, it’s vital to hire a whistleblower lawyer. Depending on the type of unlawful act committed in the workplace, several different types of reports can be made with the help of an attorney.

Acts of discrimination or harassment can be reported to your company’s human resources department. However, if you don’t feel safe reporting the incident internally, you can file an official complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department. They handle employment complaints and can conduct an internal investigation into the matter. A local attorney can help you file your complaint.

You can also request a “right-to-sue” complaint, which allows you to pursue the case in court. In 2023, there were 185 employment complaints filed with the Civil Rights Department in Orange County. That same year, there were 957 “right-to-sue” complaints filed in Orange County. You have three years from the date of the last incident to file your complaint with the Civil Rights Department.

After a “right-to-sue” complaint is approved, filing can be done at the Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. However, it’s crucial to note that if you pursue this option, the Civil Rights Department does not investigate the incident, as the matter is handled exclusively in court.

The path you decide to take is unique to your personal and situational needs. Discuss all of your concerns with an attorney to understand which legal option is right for you.

The Costa Mesa whistleblower lawyers at California Employment Counsel, APC, know how destabilizing life can feel after reporting violations in the workplace. You deserve to have competent legal care as a part of your support system during this challenging time. Contact our office in Costa Mesa to schedule a confidential case evaluation with one of our skilled and empathetic attorneys.