A complete overview of developments in statutory and common law that provide increased protection for whistleblowers and authorize punitive and compensatory damages in wrongful discharge actions. An overview of court decisions and the constitutional roots of whistleblower protection is included along with available legal remedies under both state and federal law. An extensive appendix lists texts of whistleblower protection laws. Human Resource Management News Beginning with an overview of the jurisprudential and constitutional roots of whistleblower protection, the authors go on to outline the numerous legal remedies under both state and federal law available to whistleblowers. They demonstrate that although no comprehensive federal whistleblower laws exist, many laws and doctrines are sufficiently interrelated to offer a safety net of protection. Turning their attention to the private sector, the authors explain state court developments concerning liberalization of the traditional employment at will doctrine. They then analyze the case law of the twenty-six states that have adopted a public policy exception to the doctrine and the new tort created by this exception which offers additional protection by permitting suits for damages by private sector whistleblowers. An extensive appendix lists the texts of thirty federal whistleblower protection laws, an expecially valuable feature for practicing labor law attorneys.

Litigator, teacher, and scholar Stephen Kohn presents a comprehensive, unified examination of the 35 federal laws that protect whistleblowers and their rights, plus the common law protections available in each of the 50 states. For the first time in one easily accessed volume, readers will find the basic principles upon which all whistleblower law is premised. Mr. Kohn lays out the basic legal principles applicable to almost every whistleblower case, such as the scope of protected activity and who qualifies for protection. He shows what constitutes discriminatory conduct, what type of evidence demonstrates that improper retaliation occurred, the burdens of proof on both the employee and employer, how to calculate damages and attorney fees, common settlement and fundamental procedural issues, and much more, all in meticulously documented detail and a readable, engaging style. Built upon Mr. Kohn's extensive practical experience and his scholarly research and teaching, not only is the book an essential resource for study and analysis of whistleblowing issues, but it is also a step-by-step guide for conceptualizing and litigating them. Attorneys with specialties in a wide range of fields involving whistleblower law and related policy issues will find a thoughtful, comprehensive examination, and an immediately applicable courtroom aid. It will also be important for human resource executives, labor union officers and attorneys, government contractors, and recipients of government grants, university and government libraries, federal agency executives and specialists, public interest and good government organizations—and many others who have become fascinated by this relatively new, but long-time coming, branch of the law, how it developed, and how it is being applied today.

Learn how whistleblowers have saved lives, stopped frauds, protected their jobs, and earned million-dollar rewards for doing the right thing in Rules for Whistleblowers, Stephen Martin Kohn’s seventh book on whistleblowing. This book is a fully updated and expanded revision of The Whistleblower’s Handbook,the first-ever comprehensive consumer guide to exposing workplace wrongdoing. Kohn’s thirty-seven rules highlight the “traps” facing whistleblowers today and address how to file anonymous cases and qualify for multi-million-dollar rewards. Kohn carefully explains complex rules and laws governing whistleblowing including the Dodd-Frank, IRS, and False Claims Acts, as well as detailed strategies for fighting retaliation. He also covers controversial issues such as taping, removing documents, and ignoring nondisclosure agreements. Modernized laws have revolutionized the rights of employees both in the United States and internationally, enabling whistleblowers to be paid over $10 billion in rewards for doing the right thing. No employee should blow the whistle without knowing their rights. Too much is at stake.

UPDATED IN MARCH 2013 to include the historic $104-million Bradley Birkenfeld whistleblower case and more! From the nation’s leading whistleblower attorney, comes the third edition of the first-ever consumer guide to whistleblowing. In The Whistleblower’s Handbook, Stephen Martin Kohn explains nearly all federal and state laws regarding whistleblowing. In the step-by-step bulk of the book, he also presents twenty-one rules for whistleblowers.

Balanced overview of the history of whistleblower law and the many issues facing attorneys and compliance officers.

This book explores the fundamental questions about whistleblowing and summarizes what we know about the experiences of whistleblowers. It provides a detailed summary of the current legal protection for whistleblowers and some general guidelines for reporting misconduct.