If you were fired or disciplined for refusing to share or misuse private customer data, your employer may have violated your rights. California’s privacy laws are among the strictest in the nation, and employees who resist unlawful practices—especially those involving sensitive consumer information—may be entitled to legal protection and compensation.
When Sharing Customer Data Becomes Illegal
Employers often require workers to handle customer information, including:
- Credit card numbers
- Social Security numbers
- Medical details
- Contact or location data
- Online activity records
If you’re asked to disclose or use this information in ways that violate privacy laws—or that feel ethically wrong—you have the right to say no.
Common Examples of Unlawful Data Requests:
- Sharing data with unauthorized third parties
- Bypassing opt-out or consent requirements under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- Retaining personal data beyond legal limits
- Falsifying disclosures to customers about how their data will be used
Refusing an Unlawful Order Is Protected Activity
California Labor Code § 1102.5 protects employees who refuse to participate in illegal conduct. If you were fired, demoted, or otherwise penalized for declining to violate customer privacy, you may have a valid wrongful termination claim.
Key Protections Include:
- Refusing to break state or federal laws
- Reporting illegal conduct to a supervisor or public agency
- Opposing unlawful workplace practices related to data handling
You don’t need to prove that your employer actually broke the law—only that you had a reasonable belief the activity was illegal.
Signs You Were Wrongfully Terminated
Retaliation can sometimes be subtle. In cases involving data privacy objections, employees may notice:
- Sudden negative performance reviews
- Removal from key projects
- Increased scrutiny or micromanagement
- Exclusion from meetings or decisions
- Termination shortly after raising concerns
Even if you’re an at-will employee, termination for refusing to commit an illegal act is still wrongful.
Building Your Case
To pursue a claim, it helps to have:
- Documentation of the request or order to share data
- Emails or messages showing your refusal or objections
- A timeline showing close proximity between your refusal and the adverse action
- Testimony from coworkers who witnessed or experienced similar pressure
Remedies for Wrongful Termination
If you succeed in your claim, you may be entitled to:
- Reinstatement
- Lost wages and benefits
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Punitive damages (in some cases)
- Legal fees and costs
How PLBH Can Help
At PLBH, we understand the pressure employees face when asked to cross ethical or legal lines. If you were fired for protecting customer privacy, you don’t have to handle this alone. We can:
- Evaluate whether your termination was illegal
- Guide you through filing a retaliation or wrongful termination claim
- Advocate for your compensation in settlement or court
Call (800) 435-7542 today for a confidential case review. Standing up for what’s right shouldn’t cost you your career—we’re here to make sure it doesn’t.