Employers across all sectors are facing unprecedented challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including an anticipated rise in whistleblower and retaliation claims, particularly in some of the most heavily regulated industries that already have statutory protections for whistleblowers. The U.S. Congress and state legislatures are also creating additional COVID-19 protections that are likely to result in a dramatic increase in whistleblowing activity and resulting litigation in the coming months. In this webinar, the speakers will address strategies to recognize, prevent, and defend against COVID-19-related whistleblower claims, including:
- claims under Section 11(c) of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and state whistleblower statutes from employees claiming they were disciplined or discharged for raising COVID-19 concerns;
- retaliation claims under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and other proposed legislation; and
- potential criminal and civil actions against employers that make false certifications when applying for and receiving financial assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.