A legal provision that protects employees who report their employers' unlawful practices is known as what?

The term that describes a legal provision protecting employees who report unlawful practices by their employers is commonly referred to as whistleblower law. These laws encourage individuals to come forward with information about illegal or unethical activities without fear of retaliation. Whistleblower laws are essential because they promote transparency and accountability in the workplace, allowing employees to expose wrongdoings, such as fraud or safety violations, that can harm the public or the organization itself. This legal protection is crucial for fostering an environment where concerns can be raised freely and without the worry of negative repercussions, thus resulting in more ethical business practices and safeguarding the rights of those who take a stand against misconduct.

In contrast, employment protection law generally refers to the broader legal framework established to safeguard various employee rights but doesn't specifically focus on the protection of whistleblowers. The Fair Labor Standards Act primarily deals with wage and hour laws rather than employee reporting mechanisms, and union protection law pertains to the rights of union members and collective bargaining rather than whistleblowing protections. Thus, whistleblower law specifically aligns with the intention of protecting individuals who expose illegal activities in the workplace.