On the part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. government announced about $3.3 billion in settlements and judgments relating to civil lawsuits involving fraud. In addition, the Data found that the whistleblower’s role in recovering over $3 billion of funds, over $2.2 billion, 80 get recovered in cases under the False Claims Act.
Whistleblowers are people who expose wrongdoing at their place of work. They do so to protect the public and safeguard the company’s reputation. Whistleblowers can be employees, contractors, or anyone with access to the company’s information. It can be challenging for employers and managers to know when you should contact a whistleblower lawyer.
Just because you suspect your employee might be reporting something doesn’t mean they are ready to speak out. It could be something small you don’t want them to bring greater attention to and perhaps file a formal complaint about. Or it could be something more serious about which you need legal advice before taking further action. Fortunately, there are ways that you can determine whether your employee needs legal counsel without making unnecessary assumptions or wasting time with unproductive discussions. A Whistleblower Attorney can help you with your problem.
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Explain what a whistleblower is?
Traditionally, whistleblowers are considered employees who go to their manager for information about illegal activity in the company. In some cases, they might report a company doing something illegal or against the law. However, this definition is broader than it needs to be.
Any person with access to information about wrongdoing can be a whistleblower. As such, it makes sense for you as an employer or manager to ask yourself if your employee can expose any illegal activity at the company and what would happen if they did.
Different Types Of Whistleblowers
There are three types of whistleblowers.
- employees
- contractors
- people with access to company information
Why would someone become a whistleblower?
Whistleblowers are often motivated by fear and the desire to protect others. In addition, You might push them over the edge after experiencing workplace abuse or threats to their safety. They might also feel a sense of moral obligation to expose wrongdoing to stop criminal activity and prevent social injustice.
Whistleblowers often feel they compelled to leave their current job to keep themselves safe from further harassment or retaliation. However, there are many reasons an employee would turn into a whistleblower and find it necessary to seek legal counsel before reporting what happened in the workplace.
The importance of a whistleblower attorney
A whistleblower attorney can help you in many aspects. Some of these are the following.
- A whistleblower attorney can help you know the law and advise you on whether or not an issue is worth reporting.
- A whistleblower attorney will be able to put your mind at ease about what is illegal.
- A whistleblower attorney will take your case on a contingency basis (if you are successful in your claim),
- A whistleblower attorney will provide legal counsel for you and your company while filing a complaint with the federal government.
An important part of whistleblowing is knowing when it’s appropriate to reach out to a lawyer. For example, suppose your workplace has a rule that prohibits discussing work matters outside of work. In that case, it’s best to wait until you’re away from work before speaking with a lawyer specializing in whistleblower cases. On the other hand, if there’s no such policy in place, it’s always best practice to check in with your company’s ethics officer before contacting a lawyer without fear of repercussion. Also, ensure that if you speak with an ethics officer, they don’t share any information about the conversation unless necessary for their job description.
How can a whistleblower attorney help you?
There are several ways that a whistleblower attorney can help you. For instance, they might be able to help you determine whether an employee is justified in their allegations. Additionally, they may be able to guide how to handle the situation and protect your company’s reputation and brand.
Finally, whistleblower lawyers can also give legal advice so that you can make informed decisions about what action (if any) to take against an employee. For example, suppose it turns out that the whistleblower is bringing false charges against your company. In that case, a lawyer could argue for leniency in your case or advise you on how best to avoid litigation altogether.
Steps To Take If You’re Considering Becoming A Whistleblower
If you’re considering becoming a whistleblower, here are six steps:
- First, determine why they want to speak out.
- Explore non-legal alternatives to resolve the issue internally.
- Listen and learn what they need from you.
- Take action if they are still interested in reaching out.
- Ensure they have access to the attorney’s office and resources required for their case.
- Guide how they can proceed.
The potential legal ramifications of being a whistleblower.
Whistleblowers are often protected by law when they report illegal or unethical behavior in their workplace. However, several possible legal ramifications can occur when a whistleblower chooses to speak out.
One such repercussion is retaliation from the employer. It can result in demotion, termination, or blocklisting from future employment opportunities. In addition, their employer is suing another risk for whistleblowers for violating confidentiality agreements or other contractual obligations.
Finally, whistleblowers can also be subject to criminal prosecution if they reveal classified information or trade secrets. It could result in fines or even imprisonment. Despite these risks, whistleblowing remains an important way to expose corporate wrongdoing and protect the public interest.
Conclusion
If you have any information that could help the company you work for or the public in general, you might be a whistleblower. Speak with a whistleblower attorney to find out if you qualify as a whistleblower.
If you are considering contacting a Whistleblower Attorney, it is important to do your research and find one that is right for you. Many experienced attorneys can help you through the process and provide the necessary resources to protect yourself.
Remember, whistleblowers get protected by law, and you may be entitled to financial compensation if your information leads to a successful prosecution. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney if you have any questions or concerns.
