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What You Need To Know About Being A Corporate Whistleblower

by Jayden Graham

When you are a corporate employee that has information about the illegal or unjust activities of your employer, you may fall under the category of being a whistleblower. Though calling the illegal actions of your employer to the attention of the law is a difficult position, it may be necessary to prevent violations and protect others from harm. A whistleblower can often be a prime target for discrimination and reprimand, not to mention workplace ridicule. So if you find yourself in the position of calling out your superiors or corporate employers for activities that you believe go against public safety, health, and violate the law, there are a few things you need to know about being a corporate whistleblower.

You Have Protections

Through national recognition of the need for oversight into the protection of whistleblowers, there are protections afforded to employees willing to stop, report, and testify as a witness against your employer. Each state differs in defining the term whistleblower and what statute of limitations apply, so be aware that if you discover activity that you feel falls under a whistleblower category, you'll need to do research into your state laws. In some cases, federal legislation regarding whistleblowing may supersede state's involvement, and in other cases, you may need to apply for separate proceedings. Because there is a national recognition for the need for protection of whistleblowers, you can get more information about where to start from the National Whistleblowers Center.

There Are Advocates

Because each state has specificity in what defines your case and how long you have to act, you should proceed with a case under the auspices of an experienced whistleblower lawyer. Not all lawyers have experience in this arena, and with cases that can be defended by corporate panels with unlimited resources, you need to be represented by someone with this specialty. If you feel that you have definitive evidence of illegal workplace conduct or you have been terminated for calling attention to the wrongful actions of your superiors, hiring a whistleblower lawyer will provide the best shot at recovering both your personal interests and justice in the case.

You Aren't Alone

Understand you aren't alone, and you shouldn't be afraid to speak up. A corporation can often afford to remove or silence voices of dissent in order to cover up mistakes, neglect, or intentional wrongdoing. So if you feel that you are in a position to bring light to your superior's unjust behavior, you should know that there are others like you that have fought hard and won cases to bring justice to institutions where corruption prevails. 

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