{"id":374847,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/nevada-law\/nevada-whistleblower-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-10-06T09:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T14:15:07","slug":"nevada-whistleblower-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/nevada-law\/nevada-whistleblower-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Nevada Whistleblower Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nevada Whistleblower Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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

Nevada<\/span> whistleblower<\/span> laws<\/span> protect public and private employees who report illegal or improper governmental action<\/span> to the proper authorities. Most state laws<\/span> protect government workers from termination or other retaliation, but both state and federal laws<\/span> also protect private workers who notify government agencies<\/span> about private businesses that violate safety regulations or employment laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Those who are brave enough to report wrongdoing deserve protection. Federal whistleblower<\/span> laws<\/span> are embedded in federal regulatory acts such as the\u00a0Sarbanes-Oxley Act<\/u><\/a>.<\/u> These laws allow\u00a0whistleblowers<\/span>\u00a0affected by the offenses they reported to\u00a0file legal action to claim a portion of the money recovered. Qui tam<\/span> actions<\/em> are often written into the act’s language.<\/p>\n

Local government<\/span> laws protect employees from retaliatory actions<\/span>, such as termination or harassment, if they report their employers for violating tax or employment laws<\/span>. This article examines both types of Nevada<\/span> whistleblower<\/span> laws<\/span>. If you’re considering filing a whistleblower<\/span> claim in Nevada<\/span> and aren\u2019t sure what to do, consider speaking with a whistleblower<\/span> law<\/span> attorney<\/a> for legal guidance.<\/p>\n

Nevada<\/span> Whistleblower<\/span> Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nevada<\/span> law protects both public- and private-sector employees from retaliation for whistleblowing<\/span>. Public employees<\/span> who prevail in a whistleblower<\/span> lawsuit may be reinstated in their former job, receive back pay<\/span> and benefits, or both. Private employees may have similar protections or be entitled to file a civil claim for damages.<\/p>\n

All whistleblowers<\/span> must act in good faith<\/span>, meaning they must reasonably believe what they\u2019re reporting is true and accurate. In general, employees have common-law<\/span> protection against wrongful termination for reporting health and safety violations or wage-and-hour violations. The state of <\/span>Nevada<\/span> has laws that protect employees who report such violations.<\/p>\n

The Nevada<\/span> False Claims Act<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Nevada<\/span> False Claims Act<\/span> (NRS<\/span> \u00a7 357.040<\/a>) makes it unlawful to knowingly present a fraudulent claim with the government, with or without a specific intent to defraud. The False Claims Act provides grounds for a qui tam<\/span><\/em> action<\/a>. It includes protection from harassment, demotion<\/span>, suspension, or termination<\/a> in some cases if the claimant brings the claim within three years of the alleged\u00a0retaliatory action<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Nevada<\/span> OSHA<\/span> Protection<\/h3>\n

Both the federal and Nevada<\/span> Occupational Safety<\/span> and Health Administration (OSHA<\/span>) have mechanisms for workers and employees to report workplace injuries and safety violations. They also allow workers to provide witness statements during investigations. State law<\/span><\/a> prevents employers from firing employees or taking other employment action<\/span> against workers for such actions.<\/p>\n

Public Employees<\/span><\/h3>\n

Public-sector employees in state and local agencies are protected when disclosing \u201cimproper governmental action<\/span>\u201d such as violations of state or local laws, mismanagement of funds, or abuse of authority. State law<\/span> defines<\/a> what types of reporting are covered and what protections employees receive for reporting violations. Nevada<\/span> public policy<\/span> encourages employees to report wrongdoing by government officials, and the law requires local government<\/span> to enact protective laws at all levels to ensure compliance.<\/p>\n

Federal Law<\/span> Protections for Whistleblowers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Federal laws<\/span> enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice<\/a> contain their own whistleblower<\/span> protections<\/span>. The federal Whistleblower<\/span> Protection<\/span> Act (WPA) applies only to federal employees who report federal misconduct, but other federal agencies enforce regulations with whistleblower<\/span> protections<\/span>. These include:<\/p>\n