Doing the right thing is not always easy. You may know your employer is doing something wrong but might be fearful that you are risking your livelihood.
There are protections to support people willing to uncover illegal activity and other mistrustful behavior on both the federal and state levels. These protections can help you maintain your employment.
Here’s what you should know about the protections available for people who report their employers’ wrongdoings.
Many faces of retaliation
Employers know they cannot terminate you as a whistleblower, but that does not mean they might not attempt other methods to demonstrate their frustration. When an employer is frustrated by the actions of a whistleblower, they might retaliate with measures, such as:
- Changing your work location
- Reducing your hours or pay
- Changing your job description or duties
Not only can your employer not take these actions, whistleblower protections include prohibiting employers from threatening you with retaliatory action.
Protection for many types of participation
The person who makes the report against an employer is not the only employee who may need whistleblower protection. Depending on the size of the company and the type of illegal activity, there could be several employees who participate in supporting the claim. Whistleblower laws cover participatory actions, including:
- Assisting in an investigation
- Refusing to continue to participate in the violation
- Reporting on behalf of another employee
Whistleblowers are an essential part of our country’s industry to ensure integrity for consumers and the public. Federal and state protections can give you the support you need to uncover illegal or mistrustful activity.
