
If you have observed illegal activity in the workplace or potentially unsafe working conditions, you may be unsure of what to do. Many employees fear retaliation and do not know their rights as a whistleblower under California law. An experienced Roseville whistleblower lawyer can explain California whistleblower statutes, legal protections when reporting misconduct, and applicable procedures if you or your business are ever faced with a whistleblower claim.
Asbill Law Group advocates on behalf of businesses and employees regarding employment law and business litigation issues in the Sacramento Valley. Our lawyers focus on providing practical and knowledgeable legal advice based on the circumstances of each matter.
We strive to help employers and employees understand their rights under California law while navigating through often complicated workplace disputes. We represent employers and employees in Roseville, Rocklin, and other communities in Placer County. Asbill Law Group has handled employment cases in both California state courts and federal court.
In general, a whistleblower is a person who reports suspected wrongdoing or violations of the law that are occurring at work. For example, whistleblowers may report violations to their employer, another individual with supervisory authority, or a government agency that can investigate the suspected misconduct. Examples of whistleblower activity can include reporting:
While many types of workplace disputes can be serious, not every workplace complaint qualifies for whistleblower protection. The law that applies to the disclosure and the facts and circumstances matter.
Over $6.8 billion was collected by the U.S. Department of Justice under the False Claims Act in fiscal year 2025, the largest amount in the law’s history. A record 1,297 qui tam claims were brought by whistleblowers in the same year.
California offers strong legal protections to whistleblowers who report suspected violations of state or federal law. California Labor Code § 1102.5, for instance, prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who disclose information to a government or law enforcement agency, a person with authority to investigate the alleged wrongdoing, or another employee who has the authority to correct the violation.
The law also protects employees who refuse to participate in activities that would result in a violation of state or federal law. California law also prohibits retaliation against employees for opposing illegal discrimination, harassment, or other activity that violates California’s civil rights laws. There may be additional whistleblower protections available under federal law in certain industries such as health care, transportation, financial services, and government contracting.
If you think you may have a whistleblower claim, start by writing down what you know about the alleged wrongdoing. Save copies of any pertinent emails, reports, dates, and information you have. It’s essential to know your legal standing before you remove any confidential or proprietary documents.
If you have already reported the matter within the company or to a government agency, save copies of the correspondence if possible. Whistleblower protections and reporting requirements differ based on the specific facts involved. Consider speaking with an attorney soon after you believe you may have a claim. A Roseville whistleblower attorney can help you understand your rights and explain what laws may or may not protect you and what your next steps should be.
Whistleblower complaints can arise before a claim is ever filed. Individuals and employers often seek legal advice from a whistleblower attorney when investigating employee complaints, conducting workplace investigations, or evaluating how whistleblower laws apply under California law. When you hire a whistleblower lawyer early, they can help preserve evidence, identify legal protections, outline a person’s options, and review all employment actions for legal compliance.
Roseville’s expanding economy consists of healthcare services, tech companies, retail businesses, construction contractors, manufacturers, and government agencies. Whistleblower claims can occur in both the public and private sectors.
The majority of employment claims in Placer County may be filed in Superior Court. The Placer County Superior Court can be found at 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678. Some whistleblower cases may also be heard by administrative agencies or in federal court depending on the legal issues raised. Asbill Law Group whistleblower attorneys are familiar with local employment practices and whistleblower laws in California.
Eligible whistleblowers in California are protected by law from retaliation for reporting suspected illegal activity or for refusing to commit an illegal act. Based on the facts and circumstances, relief may include reinstatement, back pay, lost benefits, attorney’s fees, and any other relief available under the law. Remedies depend on the facts of the case.
Depending on the law, a whistleblower complaint may include suspected violations of state or federal law to an employer or government agency. Reporting may relate to violations of health and safety standards, fraud, waste, abuse, or discrimination. Whether an activity is considered a protected whistleblower complaint depends on the law that applies and the facts of the case.
You do not need to have actual proof that a violation occurred in order to report your concerns. If you later experience retaliation and file a whistleblower claim, you may need evidence to prove your case. Make sure to retain emails, keep records of your reports, and document witnessed events with reports, emails, or witness statements.
Being a whistleblower does not protect you from being disciplined for legitimate workplace violations. An employer can still take action against employees for activity that would have led to the same action, regardless of the whistleblowing. Generally, if the employer can show they would have taken the action for legitimate reasons that are unrelated to retaliation, the action may not be found to be unlawful.
If you believe you have a whistleblower claim, Asbill Law Group can help you in the legal process. We can inform you of your rights and advocate for a favorable outcome. Contact us today for more information.