Whistleblower protection laws define protected activity as the actions an employee can take to report suspected wrongdoing without fear of payback. This typically involves reporting violations of the law, fraud, waste, abuse of power, or threats to public health or safety. Imagine exposing financial scams, safety hazards in your workplace, environmental damage caused by your company, or violations of consumer protection laws. For an activity to be protected, the employee must have a reasonable belief the information is true and the disclosure must serve the public interest by exposing potential harm. Ultimately, protected activity empowers whistleblowers to speak up, deters organizations from wrongdoing, and promotes accountability by bringing issues to light. However, the specifics of protected activity can vary by location, so consulting a lawyer specializing in whistleblower protection laws is recommended before coming forward.