(1) Any employee deeming herself or himself injured by any act in violation of this chapter shall have a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin further violations, or to recover the actual damages sustained by the person, or both, together with the cost of suit including reasonable attorneys' fees.

     (2) The remedy provided by this section is in addition to any common law remedy or other remedy that may be available to an employee.

     (3) An employee is not required to exhaust administrative remedies before filing a civil action to enforce this chapter.

[2008 c 286 § 12.]