What might justify the legal firing of a whistle-blower in a workplace?

When considering justifications for the legal firing of a whistle-blower, the correct answer focuses on "Violation of company policies." Whistle-blowers often raise concerns about issues within an organization, such as unethical practices, illegality, or safety violations. However, if their actions constitute a breach of internal company policies, for instance, by bypassing established protocols or procedures for reporting issues, this could provide a legal basis for termination.

In many jurisdictions, whistle-blower protections exist that shield employees from retaliation when reporting wrongdoing, especially when it is done through appropriate channels. However, if the whistle-blower violates company protocol during the disclosure process, even with the intent to expose wrongdoing, this action could lead to justifiable termination because it undermines the company's established procedures for handling concerns.

The other choices revolve around situations that generally align with whistle-blowing protections rather than justifications for firing. Reporting internal problems and making public interest disclosures typically garner legal protection rather than justification for dismissal, as these actions are in the public interest and often serve to promote accountability.