Employees are frequently the first to observe both the commendable and questionable activities within their workplaces. In some instances, they might witness their employers participating in illegal or fraudulent behaviors that could jeopardize public health and safety, such as compromising food manufacturing processes, resulting in potential contamination risks. Fear of retaliation, such as job loss, often prevents these employees from reporting these dangerous practices to government agencies or law enforcement.
However, multiple regulations exist to protect these whistleblowers. Should an employee expose what they believe to be evidence of illegal activity and face penalties as a result, they may be in a position to file a lawsuit against their employer under a whistleblower protection act. These laws serve to incentivize employees to report actions that break the law, endanger public safety, waste taxpayer funds, or violate public trust, particularly in the case of government employees.
Exploring the Reach of Whistleblower Protection Laws
If an employer unlawfully penalizes or dismisses an employee for exposing misconduct, that employee can seek legal action against the company under a whistleblower protection law. Various whistleblower protection laws cater to specific scenarios, including environmental, corporate, government fraud, federal employee, and military whistleblowing. Both state and federal laws provide protection for whistleblowers, and a knowledgeable wrongful termination attorney can provide guidance specific to your circumstances.
Potential Financial Incentives for Whistleblowers
In certain scenarios, whistleblowers can reap financial benefits for exposing fraudulent activity. For instance, the False Claims Act stipulates that if an employee uncovers fraud in government contracts, they may be entitled to a portion of the recovered amount—up to 20 to 30 percent. Several circumstances could give rise to this situation, such as a nursing home employee discovering Medicare being billed for unprovided services, or a defense manufacturer employee uncovering shortcuts leading to substandard military equipment.
Reporting such fraud could yield a substantial payout for the employee if the government recovers money from the fraudulent parties. However, not all whistleblowing incidents qualify for compensation, making it crucial to consult an experienced whistleblower attorney to evaluate your unique case.
Promoting Ethical Reporting Practices Among Employees
Employees should be encouraged to expose dangerous, fraudulent, or unethical activities. However, they are often met with retaliation instead, including demotions, dismissals, or other punitive measures. If you’ve blown the whistle on your employer’s illegal activities and faced retaliatory action, PLBH is here to help. Our proficient employment law attorneys specialize in representing individuals who have faced wrongful termination or discrimination for blowing the whistle or engaging in other protected activities. Contact our office today at (800) 435-7542 to arrange an appointment and discover how we can assist you.