#GeToo - Legal Resources

Legal Resources

Thank you to #AppleToo for compiling the initial list of legal resources.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that this document is not meant as a replacement for seeking legal advice, and that individual states and countries have different resources. We have labelled resources by their country and state.
If you have an NDA and/or forced arbitration agreement, these DO NOT prevent you from reaching out to the resources below, or from consulting with an attorney. We have also included a list of attorneys we have had good experiences with.
We will be updating this list continually. Check back often for more resources.

If you have an NDA and/or forced arbitration agreement, these **DO NOT** prevent you from reaching out to the resources below, or from consulting with an attorney.
We have included a list of attorneys we have had good experiences with.

IMPORTANT WARNINGS REGARDING THE GE “SOLUTIONS” PROCESS:

We strongly recommend that no employee engage in the Solutions process with the company.
We’ve had several legal professionals analyze the process and dozens of us have attempted to use it.
It is virtually impossible for an employee to have a successful outcome using this process.
Instead, consult with an attorney ASAP and file complaints with the agencies below. Note that you are not required to have an attorney to file a complaint with these agencies.. However, having an attorney assist you in writing your complaint is beneficial.
If you are unable to retain an attorney and need help filing a complaint with the agencies below, contact us. We can help.

With all resources listed here, we recommend the following:

Document everything. The more documentation you have - be it emails, witnesses, paper, etc. - the better.
IMPORTANT: Most companies track virtually all activities that employees perform on company devices (computers, tablets, phones, etc.). Below is a list of activities that should never be done o company device as they will likely raise suspicion and you could face retaliation:
- DO NOT email documents from a company email to your personal email.
- DO NOT upload documents/emails from a company device to a personal cloud storage application (Google Cloud, iCloud, etc.)
- NEVER use external storage devices (USB, flash drive, etc.) with a company device.
- BE CAREFUL what you print. Remember, companies monitor this.
- NEVER visit job search websites (Indeed, Monster, etc.), search for attorneys, or visit/search for anything that a company may consider a sign of you looking for a new job or considering taking legal action. Even if you are on your own personal WiFi, these are tracked.
- To document emails, many recommend taking a picture of your computer screen with a personal camera or personal cell phone while at home if possible.
Establish a clear timeline. Establishing a timeline supported by documentation makes a case stronger.
Speak to an attorney in your area. We are able to provide generic resources. An attorney in your area can provide better guidance.
View the Tech Workers Handbook - a collection of resources for tech workers who are looking to make more informed decisions about whether to speak out on issues that are in the public interest.

GE Management Sabotaging Efforts to Find New Employment

We’ve received several reports of GE management attempting to sabotage victims efforts to secure a new job. Understand that this is illegal and you should file a lawsuit against these individuals for disparagement. For information about filing charges, contact us.

Allison & Taylor, Inc. provides professional reference checking services that can reveal if GE management is attempting to damage your reputation. Learn more about their services at allisontaylor.com

+ Complaints can be filed with these FEDERAL agencies

NLRB -Focuses on issues of employee organization. If you have been told not to discuss wages or working conditions with others’, file with this organization.

EEOC - Focuses on discrimination issues. If you have faced racial, sexual, sexual orientation, religious, disability, or any similar discrimination, or have faced retaliation, file with this organization. Your complaint must be filed within 180 days from the date of discrimination.

OIG - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline handles allegations regarding fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or misconduct affecting Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) programs and operations. Report misuse, embezzlement, or theft of government property or funds; contract or procurement fraud; contractor misconduct; employee misconduct (bribes, etc.); conflicts of interest and other ethical violations; and defense trade control violations.

USDJ - Focuses on discrimination issues. If you have faced racial, sexual, sexual orientation, religious, disability, or any similar discrimination, file with this organization.

OSHA - Focuses on workplace safety. If you have faced an unsafe working environment, file with this organization.

DoL - Focuses on wages. If you have faced issues with getting paid during FMLA, or issues around overtime pay, file with this organization.

DoL OFCCP - If your employer is doing business with the Federal Government, you are protected by laws and regulations that are enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). If you have been discriminated against based on your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or for discussing pay, you can file a complaint here. An individual, organization, or group can even file a complaint on your behalf. Your complaint must be filed within 180 days from the date of discrimination.

False Claims Act - Federal law that imposes liability on persons and companies who defraud governmental programs. It is the federal Government's primary litigation tool in combating fraud against the Government.

SEC - Report suspected securities fraud or wrongdoing to the SEC. Including:

Theft or misappropriation of funds or securities
Manipulation of a security's price or volume
Insider trading
False or misleading statements about a company (including false or misleading SEC reports or financial statements)
Failure to file required reports with the SEC
Bribery of, or improper payments to, foreign officials
Fraudulent conduct associated with municipal securities transactions or public pension plans
Fraudulent or unregistered offer or sale of securities

+ Complaints can be filed with these STATE agencies

CALIFORNIA

DFEH Focuses on discrimination issues. If you have faced racial, sexual, sexual orientation, religious, disability, or any similar discrimination, or have faced harassment, file with this organization.

Labor Commissioner Focuses on wages. If you have faced issues with getting paid during FMLA, or issues around overtime pay, file with this organization.

LOUISIANA

Louisiana Commission on Human Rights

MICHIGAN

Michigan Department of Civil Rights

NEW YORK

Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office

OHIO

Ohio Civil Rights Commission

TEXAS

TWC - wages - Focuses on wages. If you have faced issues with getting paid during FMLA, or issues around overtime pay, file with this organization.

TWC - discrimination- Focuses on discrimination issues. If you have faced racial, sexual, sexual orientation, religious, disability, or any similar discrimination, or have faced retaliation, file with this organization.

Austin OCR - Focuses on discrimination issues. If you have faced racial, sexual, sexual orientation, religious, disability, or any similar discrimination, or have faced retaliation, file with this organization. Specific to Austin

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development