8 LAWYER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2025 Why Whistleblowers Speak Out New York Labor Law §740 (NYLL §740), Retaliation Protections, And The Napheesa Collier Moment The Spirit of NYLL 740: Protecting the Voice That Speaks Up For decades, NYLL 740 was a relatively narrow law. It primarily shielded healthcare workers or employees exposing public-health dangers. That changed dramatically with the 2022 amendments, which expanded protections to all employees, former employees, and independent contractors who, in good faith, report or object to employer conduct they reasonably believe violates a law or poses a danger to the public. The law no longer requires proof that an employer’s act actually breaks the law, only that the employee reasonably believed it did. It also widened the scope of “retaliation” to include threats, demotions, blacklisting, or damage to future employment prospects. In other words, whistleblowers in New York now have broader legal armor than ever before. At its core, NYLL 740 reflects a policy choice: society benefits when workers can speak out about wrongdoing without fear. It acknowledges that silence often stems from fear of reprisal, and that protection against retaliation is what allows integrity to thrive inside institutions, from hospitals to hedge funds to the entertainment industry, and, yes, sports leagues. When Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier stood at the microphone during a recent post-game press conference and called out WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, she wasn’t just voicing frustration over referees. She was putting leadership, and accountability, on notice. Collier’s statement directly addressed Engelbert with numerous player concerns, including game officiating, player safety, and gender pay disparity. Collier’s remarks, delivered in front of cameras and echoed across social media, instantly transcended sports headlines. However, the sentiments also touched on the same core legal and ethical principles that sit at the heart of New York Labor Law § 740 (NYLL 740), New York’s strengthened whistleblower protection statute. Though Collier’s dispute arose in professional sports rather than corporate America, her decision to publicly call out leadership mirrored the kind of protected activity that New York employees, human resources departments, and compliance officers all navigate in the workplace every day. Contact PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES 45 Broadway, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10006 Request Your Consultation: Tel: (866) 229-9441 newyorkcitydiscriminationlawyer.com With Jesse Weinstein, Phillips & Associates
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