A “whistleblower” is an employee who reports a violation of the law by their employer. The employee might report a violation against them, as with a sexual harassment claim, or might report a more general violation like tax/IRS fraud, healthcare fraud, procurement fraud, defense contractor fraud, or others.
The federal government and many states have laws protecting whistleblowers who’ve filed a claim or reported a violation from retaliation.
Even if you feel you are not ready to take legal action, consult one of our qualified lawyers as soon as possible so that you will know your options. At Heninger Garrison Davis, we do not charge any fees upfront. In fact, we will only charge attorney’s fees if we obtain a financial settlement for you. If you don’t win, we won’t get paid a legal fee.
Call us today for your free case evaluation at 1.800.241.9779
How to Prepare or Put Yourself in the Best Position to Be a Whistleblower
If you become aware of a company breaking the law, there are a number of steps you should take first to protect yourself and ensure that you are successful.
- 1. Be aware of the laws that prohibit the behavior you’re reporting, and the legal protections that are in place for whistleblowers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a Whistleblower Protection Program that enforces statutes designed to protect whistleblowers from retaliation by employers.
- 2. Consider any provisions in your contract related to whistleblowing and any confidentiality requirements in your company’s or agency’s policies.
- 3. Confirm that illegal or fraudulent behavior is occurring.
- 4. Hire an experienced whistleblower attorney. A good lawyer who is knowledgeable about whistleblower laws can tell you if you qualify for whistleblower protections and can give you a good idea of the type of evidence required to bring a lawsuit or complaint.
- 5. If possible, collect evidence to back up your claim. Gather documents or take pictures if you can. Be careful not to break the law or violate confidentiality rules during this step, or you may put yourself at legal risk. Consult with your attorney for advice on the safest way to proceed.
- 6. If the government moves forward with an investigation, consider helping them during the process, subject to your attorney’s advice. Some whistleblower laws allow the whistleblower to collect a portion of damages recovered from a lawsuit.
For a free legal consultation, call (205) 326-3336
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: As a whistleblower, can I remain anonymous?
A: The ability of a whistleblower to remain anonymous relies on the whistleblower provisions of the relevant law, but many of these provisions do allow the whistleblower to remain anonymous for a time. It is important to note, however, that you may not be able to retain your anonymity throughout the entire process, and that your employer may be able to figure out your identity through indirect means. This is why whistleblower laws often include employment protection for those who report wrongdoing.
Q: Are there federal laws protecting whistleblowers?
A: Yes. The Federal Clean Air Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Energy Reorganization Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, Toxic Substance Control Act, and Water Pollution Control Act each contain protections for an employee who complains about safety or health hazards either in the workplace, or to the environment, caused by an employer.
In order to be protected under these acts, an employee must have a good-faith belief that the employer is violating the law, and must complain either to the employer or to a federal agency about the apparent violation. The employee is then protected even if the employer is ultimately found to be in compliance. An employee who feels that they have been retaliated against for making a complaint must bring a complaint to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration within thirty days of the retaliatory action.
Q: Are there state laws protecting whistleblowers?
A: Employees are also protected in most states by general statutes or common law barring discrimination or retaliation against whistleblowers. As under federal law, in order to qualify for whistleblower protection in most states, an employee generally must have a good-faith belief that the employer or its employees are in some way violating the law. The employee must also either complain about that violation to the employer or to an outside agency, refuse to participate in the violation, or assist in an official investigation of the violation.
State laws can vary significantly, so it would be better to research the protections available to you in advance of taking actions that could result in retaliation by your employer. Be sure to review any employment contracts you’ve signed to determine whether an internal whistleblowing system exists and if you are contractually required to utilize it. You should also review your employee handbook for additional information on your employer’s policies relating to misconduct and whistleblowing.
It is crucial to be aware of any provisions relating to confidentiality. As a whistleblower, you are protected from retaliation by your employer, but you’ll want to feel confident that you qualify for protection and that your disclosures will not put you at risk of a lawsuit for disclosing the company’s confidential information.
A: Yes. As long as you had a good-faith belief that a violation occurred or could occur, your reporting of it is protected.
Q: What are some examples of whistleblower retaliation?
A: Examples of whistleblower retaliation may include:
- Termination of employment
- Demotion
- Suspension
- Threats or harassment
- Discrimination
Q: What has to happen in order for OSHA to consider that retaliation has occurred?
A: In order to establish that your employer unlawfully retaliated against you for whistleblower activity, four elements must be present:
- You performed a protected activity as described in OSHA’s whistleblower laws,
- Your employer knew you engaged in this activity,
- The employer took some action against you, and
- The activity you engaged in caused your employer to take this action.
Q: Will OSHA represent me during a retaliation investigation?
A: OSHA does not represent employees who have been retaliated against. The job of its investigators is to gather and analyze the facts and make an impartial determination as to whether the employer retaliated against a whistleblower.
Q: What is the difference between internal and external whistleblowing?
A: There are two different types of whistleblowing:
- Internal Whistleblowing – Internal whistleblowing is, as one might expect from its name, the act of reporting misconduct to someone else within the same organization.
- External Whistleblowing – External whistleblowing, on the other hand, is the reporting of misconduct to someone outside of the organization, such as to law enforcement and/or the media.
Q: What is the False Claims Act, and how does it protect whistleblowers?
A: The False Claims Act, also known as the Lincoln Law, is a federal law that imposes liability on companies that defraud the government. It enables the government to sue contractors who try to fraudulently charge or otherwise cheat in dealings with the government. These cases are filed under seal, which means that the company is not alerted directly about the lawsuit.
This law contains a provision that allows whistleblowers unaffiliated with the government, known as “relators,” to file an action on behalf of the government and receive a portion (usually between 15 and 30 percent) of the recovered damages. The law also contains protections for whistleblowers, including employment protection and back pay recovery.
More than half of U.S. states have enacted their own false claim laws, patterned after the federal version. These laws vary in their applications and protections. Some are limited to combating Medicare fraud.
Q: What is the Whistleblower Protection Act?
A: The Whistleblower Protection Act, enacted in 1989 and strengthened in 2012, specifically protects people who work for the federal government, and inform on illegal or improper activities conducted by the government. The Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal employees from potential retaliation from the government.
Contact a Whistleblower Attorney Right Away
If you’re considering your next steps and what protections you might have as a whistleblower, don’t hesitate to contact a knowledgeable attorney who can walk you through your options. Our initial consultation is free, and we don’t charge any fees unless we win your case.