If your employer has retaliated against you for being a whistleblower, it is illegal, and you have resources available to help you. If you think your employer has retaliated against you, you may be eligible to pursue a claim against them for their actions and your damages. If you suspect that your employer acted against you in retaliation, you should speak with an employment attorney right away to ensure you aren’t mistreated and to make sure your rights are protected.
There are many ways that an employer may retaliate against an employee. You may have your shift switched to a less desirable one. You could have your hours cut. You may be demoted. You may even see your wages reduced. Any of these forms of retaliation that cannot be justified are considered to be retaliation.
Talk with Human Resources
If you have been the victim of retaliation, you should talk to a human resources representative at your place of employment. You will want to get specific details as to why your employer took the action that he or she did. If they cannot provide justifiable explanations or give you specific details that satisfactorily answer your questions and address your concerns, you should voice your concern to the HR representative regarding what happened.
You should let human resources at your place of work know that you feel as though the action was retaliation and why you feel that way. Give them a chance to respond, and be sure to take note of their response, what is said, and any changes that they make after you have voiced your concerns or given your opinion as it pertains to the specific situation that you are facing.
Ask for supporting documentation from them that shows the actions were justified. If they cannot provide you with that documentation, it becomes more obvious that they didn’t have a legitimate reason and they are just retaliating against you for your actions as a whistleblower. They cannot retaliate against a whistleblower for doing what he or she felt was right.
Document the Behavior
You should document the behavior of your employer and your supervisors. You will want to be able to provide evidence and supporting documentation to prove that your whistleblower complaint was the direct cause for your employer’s retaliatory behavior. As an example, if your employer finds out on Monday that you are a whistleblower when they are notified by the government of the complaint being filed, then the manager comes in on Tuesday and cuts your hours or switches you to a more strenuous job, you can show there is a direct connection between the two.
Ask any witnesses who notice how you are retaliated against to provide written statements and give their detailed input into what they see and hear. The more supporting documentation and evidence that you can provide, the more likely you are to have a successful claim against your employer for their retaliation against you. Be sure to jot down any details, including the dates, times, and specifics of any retaliation that your employer does toward you.
Talk with An Employment Law Attorney
If you are the victim of retaliation, you should speak with a whistleblower attorney who handles such claims in your state. With the help of a lawyer, you are much more likely to have a successful claim and recover compensation for your damages. If you have been the victim of retaliation, your rights have been violated and you have been mistreated. Put an end to your employer’s illegal actions and make sure you are treated properly and fairly.
When you hire an employment lawyer to represent you in your claim for whistleblower retaliation, you will not have to pay anything out of pocket. Instead, your attorney will take your case on a contingency basis. That means that your attorney will not get paid until he or she wins your case and you recover compensation for your damages. If you don’t win your claim, then your attorney isn’t paid.
There is a strict statute of limitations, so get your claim underway before time runs out. Schedule your free case review today, so you can put an end to the harassment. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page so an employment law attorney in your area can review the details of your case and determine the best way to proceed with your claim against your employer
