Independent contractors are workers who are hired on a one-time or job-by-job basis. They can include consultants, freelancers, or self-employed individuals.

Yes. As prescribed under Section 3730h (3-7-3-0 H) of the False Claims Act, you're entitled to all relief necessary to make you whole if you've been discharged, demoted, harassed, or discriminated against for exercising your rights under the act.

For employers, disciplinary problems occur when an employee continues to violate or ignore work policies. Though it's generally in their legal rights to terminate an employee at any time for misconduct, companies might want to allow a problem employee multiple chances to correct his or her behavior before resorting to termination.