Whistleblower protection? When does it apply, what does it cover/ provide damages?
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Anonymous
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I'm seeing something happen in my company and I know it's unethical, possibly illegal. I've told my leader I think it's an ethics issue, and she agrees. But she said we do it to protect our margins, and not to rock the boat about it.
Now it's affecting my customers, and I can't make it right for them without fighting hard internally, which now that I've been directed not to rock the boat, will likely brand me as a "malcontent" and effectively eliminate future promotional opportunities. It's a new policy that a new leader put in place; we did not used to operate like this. I've been with this company for 20+ years and do not want to see my career trashed because I challenged up on this issue, but I also believe it's dishonest and can come back to give the company a black eye if it ever came to light. We're a publicly traded company, and it could harm stock price as well. What does the whistleblower law protect for me? My lost wages if i lose my job? How would it provide damages for lost promotion opportunity? Thanks for any help! |
Anonymous
| Are you the same person that posted the question about being a whistleblower two days ago? |
Anonymous
| No... sorry I didn't search before I posted. I'll look for that thread too. |
Anonymous
| You have to go see an employment lawyer - the internet cannot answer this for you. The law will vary drastically depending on thr state and industry you are in, and the details about the unethical/illegal conduct, your complaints, and the reprisal you suffered. Seriously, internet is not your friend here. |
Anonymous
| Agree that you should check with a lawyer. There are a number in this area that specialize in whistleblower laws. I am not a lawyer (DH is, but he is on the defense side), and I *think* for these kind of cases, you have to demonstrate "adverse action" - actually being fired, or passed over for a promotion (although my guess is that is harder to prove), or something like that. I think Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower provision covers public companies. But definitely check with a lawyer! |
Anonymous
| Give GAP a call http://www.whistleblower.org/ |
Anonymous
| What I want to know is why has becoming a whistleblower become the new thing. I never used to hear about it and now it seems to be running rampant. OP, do what you have to do, this isn't a negative towards you, it's just a question in general. |
Anonymous
| MYOB |
Anonymous
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This page may be helpful to you OP. However, I agree that you should seek legal counsel.
http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/whistle.htm#who |
Anonymous
Former whistleblower attorney here. I don't think you're imaginging this. There has been a increase in whistleblowing laws, for one thing -- it's actually something fairly easy to get through Congress, because it's hard for industry lobbyists to really argue IN FAVOR of reprisals against whistleblowers (they try, but they just can't be as persuasive as other arguments). As a result, there are several whistleblower laws out there that are really quite good for employees. The second factor that the financial scandals of the past decade have given the public (and as a result, lawmakers) the perception that the banks etc really are rotten at the core; which makes whistleblowing seem more noble and believable. All this said, it's still no easy thing to prove a whistleblower case in court. |