D. Fired for Whistle-Blowing

Various state Whistle-blower's Protection Acts protect workers who reveal abuses of authority. These statutes penalize employers who retaliate against workers who report suspected health, safety, or financial violations and provide specific remedies, including reinstatement with back pay, restoration of seniority and lost fringe benefits, litigation costs, attorney fees, and fines. To find out if your state has such a law, speak to a knowledgeable labor lawyer, legal referral service, or the Civil Liberties Union in your area. People who work for federal agencies are also protected from reprisals from whistle-blowing.

Tip:The law is often complicated in this area. For example, some state statutes would not protect you if you correctly reported that a vice-president was embezzling funds. They only protect employees from reporting safety violations that affect the community-at-large and the president could legally fire you for asserting such a charge, even if it was true! Thus, always research applicable state law or speak to a knowledgeable lawyer to understand your rights before reporting alleged violations.