If you’ve reported illegal dumping, emissions violations, or unsafe waste handling at your workplace and now face retaliation, you’re not alone—and you may be protected under California and federal law. Speaking up about environmental harm is not only the right thing to do, it’s also a legally protected action.
What Qualifies as Environmental Whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing occurs when an employee reports conduct that violates environmental regulations. Common examples include:
- Reporting illegal chemical dumping or hazardous waste disposal
- Alerting authorities to excessive air or water pollution
- Disclosing noncompliance with environmental permits
- Reporting workplace safety hazards linked to toxic substances
Whether you file a complaint internally, report to CalEPA, the California Air Resources Board, or another regulatory agency, the law may shield you from employer retaliation.
Legal Protections for Environmental Whistleblowers
Several laws exist to protect employees who speak out against industrial pollution:
1. California Labor Code § 1102.5
This law protects employees who disclose information about violations of local, state, or federal regulations to a supervisor or public agency. It applies even if the violation isn’t environmental—so long as you reasonably believe wrongdoing is occurring.
2. Federal Clean Air Act & Clean Water Act
These laws include whistleblower provisions that protect employees who report environmental violations to the EPA or similar agencies. They also allow for legal action if retaliation occurs.
3. Safe Reporting to Cal/OSHA
If you report pollution that impacts worker safety (e.g., chemical exposure, poor ventilation, or unsafe disposal of toxic substances), you may also be protected under workplace safety whistleblower laws.
What Retaliation Looks Like
After reporting environmental violations, some workers experience:
- Termination or layoff
- Reduction in hours or demotion
- Unfavorable shift changes
- Harassment or isolation
- Negative performance reviews or disciplinary write-ups
These actions may be illegal if they were prompted by your whistleblowing activity.
How to Prove Retaliation
To hold your employer accountable, you’ll need to show:
- You engaged in a protected activity.
This includes reporting or refusing to participate in illegal environmental practices. - You experienced an adverse employment action.
Any demotion, discipline, or firing after the report counts. - There’s a causal link between the two.
Timing and context matter—if negative actions closely follow your report, it may support your claim.
Steps to Take If You’re Facing Retaliation
- Document everything. Save emails, write down verbal conversations, and track changes to your job.
- File a complaint. You may submit a whistleblower retaliation claim with California’s Labor Commissioner or the appropriate federal agency.
- Talk to a lawyer. Legal help is essential for navigating complex environmental and employment laws.
How PLBH Can Help You Take a Stand
At PLBH, we represent employees—not companies. If you’ve been punished for reporting industrial pollution or unsafe practices, we’ll fight to protect your rights. Our team can:
- Investigate retaliation claims
- File administrative complaints or lawsuits
- Seek reinstatement, back pay, and other damages
Call (800) 435-7542 today for a confidential consultation. You stood up for what’s right—now let us stand up for you.