If you’re considering “blowing the whistle” on illegal practices going on in your workplace, there are a few things you should know first. Historically, whistle blowers have faced ruthless retaliation in response to taking a moral stand against misconduct and illegal business practices. Just because you blow the whistle, that doesn’t give your employer a free pass to violate your rights. It’s important to speak with an experienced employment law attorney to make sure your rights aren’t being violated.

When Employees Blow the Whistle

Employees who feel a moral obligation to blow the whistle on their employers need to understand that they still have rights. If you’re exposing an organization’s misconduct, you can’t legally be retaliated against. Unfortunately, it has been an all-too-common practice in the past for employers to immediately retaliate against whistle blowers, with little or no consideration for the law. Luckily, whistle blowers can still file lawsuits against employers who retaliate.

Why is Retaliation Scary?

In our uncertain economic climate, where growing worker insecurity seems to be the norm, potential whistle blowers may be less likely to report misconduct and illegal business practices out of a fear of losing their jobs. Although retaliation is illegal, it still happens. The only way to protect yourself in this type of situation is to contact a skilled employment law attorney as soon as possible. Listed below are a variety of illegal retaliatory actions that employers may take after an employee blows the whistle on misconduct.

Illegal Retaliation against Whistle Blowers

• Firing a whistle blower
• Demoting or reducing the wage of a whistle blower
• Making a bad-faith decision regarding a transfer, raise or promotion involving the whistle blower
• Denial of raises, benefits or promotions of a whistle blower
• Suspending a whistle blower

When to Speak With an Employment Law Attorney

You should speak with an employment law attorney if you have already blown the whistle or if you are considering blowing the whistle. If you have been retaliated against, you may be entitled to compensation for economic damages associated with you case including back wages, loss of future earnings and damages associated with emotional pain and suffering. Contact the experienced employment law team at Weldon & Rothman, PL at (239) 262-2141 for a consultation on your case.

Legal Disclaimer: The above guidelines are educational in nature and do not create an attorney/client relationship. It is highly recommended that all Florida citizens with employment law issues contact an experienced local Florida employment law attorney to assist them with specific facts and circumstances regarding their labor and employment law matter. If you have been the victim of illegal activities at your workplace, then feel free to contact Attorney Rothman at Weldon & Rothman, PL toll free at (877) 730-5180 or via e-mail at info@weldonrothman.com

Bradley P. Rothman is an experienced Florida employment law attorney who has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.  He is a principal member of Weldon & Rothman, PL – a Southwest Florida law firm with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.