With so much going on in the news lately, it seems like government corruption is running rampant. Sometimes, the only way to uncover corruption is through the diligence and determination of employees who are willing to come forward and blow the whistle on the wrong-doers. Coming forward as a whistle-blower can be frightening, especially when you think of the potential ramifications of your actions. You could face retaliation in the workforce, or worse. Luckily, there are laws designed to protect whistle-blowers from retaliation. However, you need to make sure you follow the right steps along the way. If you've decided to blow the whistle on illegal activities and wrong-doing, here are four steps you should take to protect yourself from retaliation:
Hire an Attorney Right Away
If you're going to blow the whistle on corruption, or other illegal activities, you're going to need legal representation. Don't wait until you're facing retaliation in the workplace. Instead, sit down with an attorney who specializes in government investigation law. They'll be able to guide you along the way, and step in should you face retaliation.
Don't Blow Your Cover
Once you step forward as a whistle-blower, don't blow your cover. The organization you work for will work hard to uncover the identity of the whistle-blower, but that doesn't mean they'll find out, especially if you take steps to protect your identity. One way to do that is to keep your secret to yourself. Don't discuss the information you have with anyone other than the officials who are running the investigation. When you report the illegal activity, you'll do some anonymously, which means that no one inside the office will know who you are.
Maintain Your Level of Professional Behavior
If your employer suspects you as the whistle-blower, they may try to retaliate against you. They may even try to fire you. It's important for you to know that that type of retaliation is illegal, which means they can't fire you just because you've reported their illegal activities. However, they can look for other reasons to fire you. Don't give them an excuse to get rid of you. Instead, maintain your level of professional behavior. Arrive on time for work, carry out your duties to the best of your abilities, and remain steadfast your professionalism.
Keep Detailed Records
Once you become a whistle-blower, your employers may try to make your job difficult. If they can make life so difficult that you quit, they won't have to face discrimination or wrongful termination charges. If you begin facing discrimination or harassment in the workplace, you need to immediately begin keeping detailed records of everything that transpires. Take notes of every meeting you attend, including the dates, times, and people who were in attendance.
Contact a company like 1818 for more information and assistance.