The state of New York has amended its whistleblower law to make it one of the most expansive in the country, providing remedies, including potentially punitive damages, to employees, former employees and independent contractors.
The requirement to report any suspected wrongdoing first to the employer now has many exceptions. Moreover, a worker may blow the whistle on any conduct the individual reasonably believes violates any law, rule or regulation, or executive order or any judicial or administrative decision, ruling or order, noted Philip Berkowitz, an attorney with Littler in New York City. Workers also are protected for reporting any conduct that they reasonably believe constitutes a substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety, he added.
