Whistleblowers: Did Your Employer Threaten Your Job?
If you recently reported unsafe working conditions or practices at your employment, you may not expect your employer to target or harass you afterward. But if your employer accuses you of being a whistleblower and threatens to remove you from your position at work, speak to a labor litigation lawyer. Here is what you need to know about whistleblowing and how an attorney can help.
What Are Whistleblowers?
A whistleblower is an individual who reports or exposes the wrongful activities of a person or a business to the proper authorities or entities. A whistleblower can be an employee of a company, or they can be a vendor or supplier who works closely with a company. A whistleblower may also be a customer or client of a business or organization.
Many laws protect or shield whistleblowers from harm after they make their reports. The protections or laws prevent employers and other entities from retaliating against whistleblowers inside and outside the workplace. However, some companies or individuals may still harass, threaten, or even terminate whistleblowers for their actions.
If you face an uphill battle at your workplace and need legal assistance to fight it, consult a labor litigation lawyer.
What Can a Labor Litigation Lawyer Do?
A labor litigation lawyer will need to learn more about your situation before they can represent you against your employer. A lawyer will need to learn when, why, and how you complained about your employer. The information can help a litigation attorney determine whether or not you need to make a formal complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
If you didn't make a formal complaint with OSHA, a lawyer may help you do so. By filing a formal complaint, you may:
- Receive special whistleblowing protections against your employer
- Retain your employment without the threat of firing
- Protect other workers from unsafe working conditions
If your employer refuses to honor your rights as a whistleblower or takes other actions against you, an attorney may pursue your case in a court of law. It's possible for your case to go to trial if your employer doesn't recognize the whistleblower laws in your state.
If your case goes to trial, a labor litigation lawyer will discuss what you may or may not expect to happen during it. You may want to keep note of your court dates and other information on a calendar as a precaution.
Learn more about your rights as a whistleblower by consulting with a labor litigation service.
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