{"id":371860,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-whistleblower-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-02-16T13:41:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:41:19","slug":"california-whistleblower-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-whistleblower-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Whistleblower Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Whistleblower Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Carol Clasby, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

California whistleblower laws<\/span> protect employees from employer retaliation<\/span> when they report illegal workplace activities. These protections, primarily found in the California Labor Code<\/span>, cover employees who reasonably believe their employer is violating laws or regulations. Protected employees can report violations<\/span> internally to their company or externally to government agencies<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

An employee who reports their employer\u2019s illegal activities<\/span> is known as a \u201cwhistleblower.\u201d The federal government and most states<\/a> have whistleblower statutes<\/span>. These laws prohibit employer retaliation<\/span> against employees who report their employers\u2019 illegal activities<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Employer retaliation<\/span> is an adverse action<\/span> that might discourage employees from reporting the people they work for. It can manifest in numerous ways, such as having your hours cut or being passed over for a promotion after you report illegal activity<\/span>. An employee who reports an employer and then experiences whistleblower retaliation<\/span> may file a claim.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s broad, employee-friendly whistleblower laws promote safe, fair, and lawful working conditions<\/span> and public trust. By removing the fear of retaliatory action<\/span> and protecting employees who report their employers for illegal activities<\/span>, whistleblower laws protect the public. That\u2019s the common public policy<\/span> behind the whistleblower protections<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Oftentimes, the protections overlap. One whistleblower report may lead to several claims. For this reason, it is important to understand the various state and federal whistleblower protections<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article focuses on the key whistleblower protections<\/span> for California workers, with a general overview of the federal laws<\/span>. If you think you may have a whistleblower retaliation<\/span> claim<\/span> against your employer, contact an attorney<\/a> for legal advice.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s Main Whistleblower Law<\/h2>\n

California\u2019s main whistleblower protections<\/span> are found in the California Labor Code<\/span><\/a>. Let\u2019s take a look at what they are and how they function.<\/p>\n

Who Is Protected?<\/h3>\n

The protections under the California Labor Code<\/span>\u00a0are broad. In general, these whistleblower protections<\/span> cover current employees, former employees, and even job applicants. California\u2019s whistleblower protections<\/span> cover private-sector employees and many public-sector employees, including University of California<\/span> employees.<\/p>\n

The law does not protect elected officials or true independent contractors. It\u2019s not uncommon for employers to misclassify workers as independent contractors<\/a>. If you think your employer misclassified you, consider speaking with an employment law<\/span> attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Protected Activities<\/span><\/h3>\n

Protected activities<\/span> include reporting, opposing, or refusing to take part in your employer\u2019s conduct that you reasonably believe is illegal. The whistleblower doesn\u2019t have to prove that the employer\u2019s conduct is illegal. Holding a reasonable belief is enough.<\/p>\n

The illegal conduct can look like violations or noncompliance<\/span> with laws, rules, or regulations at the federal, state, or local level. Some examples of an employer\u2019s illegal activity<\/span> include:<\/p>\n