ND HB1294

Employers are prohibited from discharging, disciplining, threatening, or penalizing employees for reporting suspected violations of law to employers or government bodies, participating in investigations or hearings when requested, refusing illegal orders with objective factual basis, or discussing compensation with others.

Employers who willfully violate these protections are guilty of an infraction.

Employees may bring civil actions for injunctive relief or actual damages within 180 days of the alleged violation, with courts authorized to order reinstatement, backpay (capped at two years), fringe benefits restoration, injunctive relief, or attorney's fees.

The Department of Labor and Human Rights receives complaints and may seek voluntary compliance through informal advice, negotiation, or conciliation, with complainants required to file within 300 days of the alleged wrongdoing.

Employees with collective bargaining agreements or employment contracts providing recourse procedures must exhaust those remedies first before civil action, unless the contract provides only statutory appeal review.