Blowing the whistle on a company you work for could put you in a delicate situation. You could be the subject of threats, mistreatment and all types of retaliation. There have been extensive measures taken with the purpose of protecting whistleblowers. Simply because you blow the whistle on a company does not leave you at their mercy.

Once you blow the whistle on a company or person for their misconduct, you can usually expect some kind of retaliatory treatment. The following list includes different ways in which whistleblowers have been mistreated:

  • Termination of employment
  • Layoff from their current job
  • Being blacklisted
  • Demotion to a lower level position
  • Victimization by threats and intimidation
  • Loss of benefits
  • Reassignment of current position
  • Denial of overtime hours
  • Reduction in pay or hours

A whistleblower protection program has long since been established by The United States Department of Labor. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act of 1970  continues to protect whistleblowers to this very day. Workers are also protected under 21 forms of federal law. More recently, The Whistleblower Act of 1989 was instituted to protect government workers who turn in whistleblowers. Overall, most whistleblowers in the present day find protection under the False Claims Act.

Protection can come on a variety of fronts through many of the laws that have been put in place over the years. However, that doesn’t mean companies will not try to retaliate. Now that you know the possible course of action a company may take against a whistleblower, here are some other important tidbits to know:

  • Get ready for your world to be turned upside down. Blowing the whistle could impact your job, your family and your future. Once you make the decision to blow the whistle, do not delay. In most instances, time is money. Furthermore, you do not want the statute of limitations to run out on your claim. You also do not want someone else to file a complaint before you do.
  • Beware of corporate confidentiality. It sounds like a fancy word, but it is often just a way for corporations to get an upper hand. In that same breath, be on the lookout for other employees looking to silence you with “hush” money. Stay on the right side of the law and make sure not to damage your case with immoral acts of your own.

There are laws in place to protect whistleblowers, but those laws can only do so much. You also have to be able to protect yourself from all the pangs and drama that come with these kinds of cases. Here are some protective hints to remember when blowing the whistle:

  • Communicate carefully – Be wary of making phone calls at your place of business and even on your cell phone. Trust talking to your lawyer face to face or invest in a prepaid calling card. You can never be too careful.
  • Keep it confidential – There is no reason to tell anybody what is going on in your case. Keep that kind of talk relegated to you and your lawyer.  The more you reveal to others, the more it can come back to haunt you.
  • Don’t leave a trail – Use public computers or public fax machines whenever you are sending any kind of information. It is best if there is no tangible trail left in anything you do.

If you are thinking about blowing the whistle, contact the Mississippi Qui Tam/Whistleblower Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC. We can steer you through this intricate process with the guidance of a complete team of qualified attorneys. You will need experienced legal counsel on your side during what can be a very tough time. Call us today for a free confidential consultation at (800) 707-9577.