In Texas, all types of employees and whistleblowers face acts of revenge and retaliation against powerful people and organizations. Whistleblowing is protected under state and federal laws.
Against employers
Employees sue their employers for violating common employment and OSHA laws. They often complain about unlawful acts that involve workplace discrimination, harassment, overtime pay or minimum wages. They complain about violations of OSHA rules, such as failing to maintain the safety in hazardous workplaces.
From whistleblowers
Health care fraud is the most common type of complaint of whistleblowers. They expose fraud within the government and illegal business practices that involve mishandling money or mismanaging government or public-funded programs. Pharmaceutical fraud is the second most common complaint in addition to tax, government contracts and securities fraud.
In addition to fraud, whistleblowers expose various white collar crimes, such as bribery and money laundering, dangers to workplace safety and workers’ health, risks to the environment and violations of local, state and federal laws.
Whistleblower claims are made against employers and organizations that react in retaliation. These claims are protected under the False Claims Act that is designed to fight fraud against the U.S. government. This whistleblower law protects whistleblowers against acts of retaliation and guarantees compensation for their efforts if any funds are recovered.
Many whistleblower claims are made by employees against their employers for unpaid wages, discrimination and other issues. Other claims are made against organizations that commit fraud against Medicare, Medicaid or other types of U.S. government programs. Whistleblowers’ actions are retaliated against and require special protections under the law. The False Claims Act prevents their claims from being undermined or blocked by others.