4 Things You Need to Know Before You Blow the Whistle: Best Practices for Coming Forward

​When you witness something that is not right or seems illegal or unethical, what do you do? Many people mistakenly think they cannot blow the whistle on their employer or a co-worker because they might get fired, blacklisted from their industry, or even face legal repercussions. However, this is not always the case.  In fact, in most states and industries, there are strict protections for whistleblowers.  These laws are meant to protect individuals who come forward about their company if they see something wrong or unethical occurring. going on. Coming forward and blowing the whistle about the suspicious activity can protect others from getting hurt and save your company from future fines and lawsuits. Keep reading for 4 things you need to know before you blow the whistle at work.

What Does Blowing the Whistle Mean?

​Blowing the whistle is when an employee or contractor shares information about what he believes is fraudulent or illegal activity with regulatory agencies or their supervisors. This can include internal theft, fraud, abuse of power or cronyism. In many cases, you do not have to prove the misconduct is happening, you just have to report it. Blowing the whistle is not limited to government employees, you can blow the whistle about anything you think is illegal or fraudulent, including actions taken against you or your colleagues. The information you provide can be an anonymous tip, so there is minimal risk to your safety.

The Importance of Whistleblowing for Company Culture

While it is important to note that some companies do have a strict protocol for reporting fraud and misconduct, there is also a chance your report will be ignored or even lead to retaliation. This is why whistleblowing is so important: it gives a channel for people to report wrongdoings and get them fixed without fear of retaliation. There are many ways in which whistleblowing can benefit your company’s culture. For example, it can encourage more people to report fraud, which means more problems can be fixed before they grow into larger and perhaps unsolvable problems. It can also help identify problematic issues within your company and get them resolved without causing harm to anyone. Blowing the whistle can also encourage employees to report concerns about their safety or well-being, including concerns about a dangerous working environment or poor working conditions. Finally, it can also encourage employees to report violations of company policy or even concerns about their manager’s behavior.

The Benefits of Whistleblowing for Employees

​There are many different reasons to blow the whistle, no matter your role. Some of the most common reasons include concerns about illegal or unethical behavior within the company or with a client.  Additionally, reporting wrongdoing if your company’s practices are putting customers or employees at risk. Blowing the whistle can help you feel more comfortable working at your company. It can also protect you from being a co-conspirator in any unethical or potentially illegal activities. If something becomes known to the public, you do not have to worry about being held liable for not coming forward. Blowing the whistle can lead to more job security as well. If you report that a co-worker is violating company policy or a client is doing something illegal, this is more likely to get them fired or their contract terminated, giving you more opportunities. Plus, you may get a whistleblower award.

3 Major Reasons Employees Might Want to Blow the Whistle

​In addition to the foregoing reasons, there are other situations in which employees might want to blow the whistle on their company or co-workers. These include: Blowing the whistle on illegal activities, including fraud, theft, or dangerous working conditions; reporting on any client who is violating the law; Blowing the whistle on unethical activities: If you see your co-workers or manager violating the company’s core values or mission, you might want to report this; and, Blowing the whistle If you see your company violating its policies because of incompetence, you might want to report this.

Conclusion

​Blowing the whistle at work is a way to report any fraudulent or illegal activities you might see at your company. This can be anything from an internal theft case to a client bribing employees for special treatment. Blowing the whistle can benefit your company in many ways. It can encourage employees to report violations of company policy or even concerns about their safety. It can also help identify problematic issues within your company and resolve them before they get worse. Blowing the whistle should be the last resort after you have tried to address the issue internally. You should also make sure that the wrongdoing you want to report is illegal before coming forward. If you are thinking about blowing the whistle, you should know what your options are, what the potential risks are, and understand what protections are available to you.  That is why it is critical to speak with an experienced whistleblower attorney who can explain the process and the merits of your case. If you are thinking of blowing the whistle, contact us for free case evaluation.

Timothy L.Miles, Esq.

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recentely selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019).