Understanding Whistleblower Retaliation

It’s important that employees feel protected and safe in their work environment. If at any time an employee notices something that prohibits them from experiencing this, such as illegal activity from their company, they should be encouraged to speak up. Thankfully, there are several laws in place to protect employees in doing so. Unfortunately, that often doesn’t stop employers from retaliating against their employees for speaking up. At Bogaards Law, we’re here to help individuals understand whistleblower retaliation and how our services can help.

What Is a Whistleblower?

A whistleblower refers to an individual who reports illegal or illicit activity that a company is engaging in. Employee laws are in place to protect individuals if they choose to report actions that impact worker safety and well-being. Employees often report instances of discrimination or harassment, unsafe practices, fraudulent activity, or unequal pay. Whistleblower retaliation occurs when a company acts against the whistleblower for speaking out against the company. It’s illegal for a company to retaliate against employees who speak up about illegal activity, though this often doesn’t stop employers from doing so.

What Are Some Examples of Whistleblower Retaliation?

There are various ways that an employer can retaliate against an employee. Here are some common ways that a company can show retaliation toward an employee:

Termination of employment

Suspension

Workplace Harassment

Unsafe Work Environment

Denial of Benefits or Bonuses

Demotion

Oftentimes, employees are fearful of one or more of these consequences as a result of whistleblowing. However, an attorney can help explain laws that are in place to protect employees from being retaliated against when addressing concerns about the company. With legal action an employee could be awarded compensation for their losses. For example, employees could earn backpay, meaning that they’re compensated for their lost wages and benefits after a wrongful termination. Additionally, the court may be able to secure your job after a termination or provide compensation if the individual has moved forward with a new job search. In some cases, an employee can even request compensation for emotional pain and suffering caused by the retaliation. The court recognizes that the stress caused by retaliation can be just as damaging as financial losses and they’ll take this into consideration when deciding what to award.

How Can an Attorney Help Me?

If an employee has experienced whistleblower retaliation, an attorney can help them protect their rights in the workplace. It can seem very overwhelming trying to understand all the laws and rights that are in place to protect employees from whistleblower retaliation in the workplace. At Bogaards Law, we’re experts at explaining employee rights and assisting with all of your legal needs. We can help answer any questions you may have about whistleblower retaliation, including how to seek compensation if you’ve experienced it. We’re here to help you every step of the way.