10 Helpful Whistleblowing Tips
If you are contemplating blowing the whistle, you can consider these 10 helpful whistleblowing tips. These tips are offered to help you assess your risks and your gains by taking action to report illegal activity by your employer. The personal consequences may be less if you take steps to control the outcome.
1. Talk to your family about your decision to blow the whistle. Make sure they understand that this is an irreversible action, and it may have a negative consequence for you and them.
2. Attempt to learn about any other employees who are disturbed by the illegal actions of the employer. Be discreet to avoid alerting someone who may tell the management about your plan.
3. Consider if there is a reasonable chance that you can work with the employer’s management team by going to the first level of management. If you decide that you want to go outside of the company, then look for a way to remain anonymous.
4. Assess the quantity and the quality of your evidence and your ability to hide your knowledge about the issues. Determine the risks of exposure.
5. Identify and copy all of the necessary records that support your claim before anyone is suspicious of your concerns. Use these documents for pertinent information to include in your claim, but think carefully before giving any documents to anyone.
6. Keep a careful record of events as they develop both before and after you blow the whistle. Construct a factual log of relevant actions, and make sure that this log is free of emotions and personal feelings. Keep in mind that your employer can get access to your log in the event of a lawsuit.
7. Try to build a support network of people and organizations including activists that will help you if you face a tough challenge during your time of whistleblowing. You will be in a stronger position and better protected by building a solidarity of key supporters. Often they can be more powerful than your employer will be, and this means better protection for you.
8. Pay for a legal opinion from an attorney who is competent on the subject of whistleblowing. The advice you receive will be invaluable, and you will gain some useful insight on whether or how to proceed.
9. Don’t embellish your claim with charges that are unfounded. Don’t display any cynicism when talking with the authorities. You do not want to convey the impression that you have a personal vendetta against your employer.
10. Don’t use your employer’s time or resources to engage in whistleblowing activities.
If you, or someone you know, are facing legal issues in the workplace United Employees Law Group has answers, Call Today for your free and confidential case review. Please feel free to CONTACT US with any questions about this blog or your exact situation.