Many whistleblowers continue to work for their employers for as long as possible after they make an internal or external whistleblower report. Losing a job is hard, and the employees who are whistleblowers make reports because they want their employer to stop wrong conduct, not because they don’t want to continue working for them. Sometimes, whistleblowers can continue working for their employers without experiencing any adversity within their workplace. However, many whistleblowers experience retaliation after they make one or more reports. Whether you are currently experiencing retaliation of you fear that you may soon encounter hostility at work, the following three suggestions can help you stay strong as you navigate your job and workplace for as long as you possibly can.
If you do experience retaliation after you blow the whistle, you must act quickly to preserve your rights. Time matters in whistleblower protection cases and each whistleblower protection law contains a statute of limitations, or a time limit, within which you must file a claim for your claim to be valid. Each law has a unique statute of limitations, and some of them are as short as thirty days from the time the retaliation occurred.
Even before you make your report and certainly after you do so, do not give your employer any legitimate reason to fire you. Not only will you have no job if you get fired, but your termination could also serve to discredit your report if you were terminated for a good cause. It can be challenging to remain polite and calm in the face of retaliation, but it is critical that you get whatever personal support you need to do so. Be sure to take good care of your physical and mental health, talk with supportive family and friends, and seek counseling if need be. Do not confide in coworkers, even if they are your friends, and refrain from gossip of any type. If your employer asks you to cooperate in an investigation, do so without hesitation. Hold your head high, and continue to do your best work in fulfilling all of your duties and responsibilities.
Many whistleblowers feel so uncomfortable at work after they experience retaliation that they consider leaving their jobs. Quitting your job is never something to be undertaken impulsively, even if you are under intense scrutiny and facing retaliation at work. Some whistleblowers do need to leave their jobs to preserve their health or their safety regardless of the consequences. However, it is critical that you think through the possible impacts of resignation on any claims you might have for retaliation, your career options, and your ability to aid in any investigations that are being pursued against your employer.
Remaining at your job after you blow the whistle can be extremely difficult. If you have attempted to bring concerns to the attention of management and you have experienced retaliation after reporting a concern, we may be able to help you. To learn more, call the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to set up an initial consultation.