What is "whistleblower protection"?

Whistleblower protection refers to legal safeguards established to protect employees who report misconduct, illegal activities, or violations of regulations within their organization. This protection is crucial because it encourages individuals to come forward with information without fear of retaliation, which can manifest as harassment, demotion, or even termination from their job.

Such protections typically cover a wide range of activities, including reporting fraud, safety violations, workplace harassment, or any actions that contravene state or federal laws. The goal of these protections is to promote transparency and accountability in the workplace by making it safer for employees to voice concerns about unethical or illegal practices.

The other choices, such as additional pay for reporting violations, protection against layoffs for underperforming employees, and rewards for good performance, do not accurately capture the essence of what whistleblower protection entails. They focus on compensation or employment outcomes unrelated to the safeguarding of employees who expose wrongdoings.