Employment Law: Whistleblower Rights
Employees have the right to expect that their workplace is a physically and emotionally safe environment. They should also expect to be safe and free from retaliation, especially if they report an incident that occurred in the workplace or a possible violation of the employment policies. Law Office of Ryan J. Villa LLC handles employment law claims and is located in Albuquerque. We help victims who have suffered trauma or injury in the workplace or are facing retaliation for reporting a workplace incident.
New Mexico Law Protects Whistleblowers In The Workplace
A workplace whistleblower is someone who reports illegal or illicit activity or wrongdoing either internally to the appropriate departments, or externally to an outside source or agency. In New Mexico, the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) protects public employees, who risk their own job security to report unlawful or improper behaviors of public officials.
Under the Whistleblower Protection Act, if an employee wins a claim brought under the WPA, that employee could win:
- Actual monetary damages
- Reinstatement of their job with the same seniority status
- Twice the amount of back pay, plus interest
- Compensation for additional damages
- Litigation costs and attorney fees
New Mexico law also has other protections in place to protect any employee, no matter who they work for, from reporting instances of discrimination, Medicaid fraud, occupational health and safety (OSHA) violations, mining safety violations, radiation control problems and workers’ compensation issues. Private employers can also voluntarily provide additional protection through their company policies. Sometimes, whistleblower cases also overlap with discrimination issues. At the Law Office of Ryan J. Villa LLC, we also handle civil rights matters and can assist you with that as well if this is true for your case.
Whistleblower Steps You Should Take
If you think that you have a situation where you are considering reporting the illicit or illegal activity of your employer, there are some steps that you should take immediately:
- Identify your goals
- Develop a strategy
- Make sure you have a support system
- Anticipate your employer’s reaction
- Decide if you will remain anonymous
We can help you with every single one of those action items. Whether you already are a whistleblower or are considering taking steps to become a whistleblower, we can help.
Don’t Wait. Statute Of Limitations Apply. Call Us Today
Most whistleblower protections have strict statutes of limitations, which means you have to file a complaint or violation within a certain time period, some quite short. The Law Office of Ryan J. Villa LLC wants to fight for you. If you have suffered from discrimination or retaliation in the workplace for reporting illicit behavior or activities, don’t wait. Contact us today at 505-445-7097 or email us to schedule your initial consultation.