Whistleblowing refers to the act of reporting illegal or fraudulent practices at a workplace by an employee. This act is not only a moral duty of every employee who observes their employer engaged in illegal behavior but also a legal responsibility that is protected under United States law. Despite the legal protection offered to whistleblowers, there is a chance that an employee could get in trouble if the employer discovers any whistleblowing activity at the company. The employer might subsequently retaliate against the employee with behavior that might threaten their job security or life. Keep reading as we outline the various ways in which an employer can retaliate against whistleblowing employees.
Discrimination
All employers in the United States should ideally be equal-opportunity employers. This means that they should not differentiate between different employees based on criteria other than their job performance. Everyone is supposed to be viewed as equals in the work field. If your boss discovers that you reported their illegal activities to the company or government, they might discriminate against you. This can mean withholding professional opportunities and making workplace conditions hostile. This is not appropriate in any way, and you should reach out to a whistleblower retaliation lawyer at The Noble Law in South Carolina immediately.
Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment is one of the most common forms of retaliation experienced by whistleblowers. Sometimes these retaliations can be physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual. Your employer might threaten you with physical harm or engage in bullying. These actions can impair your job performance and create a contentious environment that can significantly affect your mental health and physical well-being. It doesn’t make your workplace enjoyable which is not fair to you. You deserve justice and you should be allowed to seek it.
Demotion or Termination
Employers also use demotion and termination as forms of retaliatory behavior against whistleblowers. As punishment for exposing their activities, they might demote you to a lower position that could have lesser pay and benefits. In some cases, they might terminate you altogether. Demotion or termination can have devastating consequences for your professional career, including difficulty finding another job, lack of references from previous employment, financial difficulty, and more.
Physical Violence
In rare cases, the employer might become highly aggressive and retaliate in the form of physical violence. These types of actions include battery or assault which can progress to murder. Physical violence is criminal, and the employer can receive a legal penalty for their behavior. These actions can lead to extreme measures such as prison time. Due to the serious nature of the crime, it is important to obtain physical evidence, contact an attorney, and report the incident to local law enforcement and company officials immediately. They will make sure that you are protected at all times and have you know your rights.
Threatening Behavior
In some cases, your employer might not take any concrete steps for retaliation, choosing to create an environment of fear through constant threats. Threatening behavior aims to force an employee out of the company by inducing fear of negative consequences. It hinders job performance and adversely impacts the mental health of the employee through constant employment insecurity and fear for personal safety. This makes your job unsafe to work at. You deserve safety so reaching out to a legal professional is the best move.
Conclusion
Although United States law protects whistleblowers from retaliation, employers regularly engage in practices meant to punish whistleblowers for participation in protected activities. Whether it is harassment, discrimination, demotion, termination, threatening behavior, or physical aggression, you should report any retaliatory behavior to the concerned authorities and seek legal action against the perpetrator with the help of a whistleblower retaliation lawyer. They will review your case and make sure you are compensated for this gross behavior.
