Many people might notice illegal or unethical behavior at their places of work and choose not to mention it because they fear retaliation or are afraid of the consequences. For those who do choose to blow the whistle on these acts, retaliation can become all too real. Experienced lawyers understand the stress of blowing the whistle and can help federal employees who are unsure of what their next steps are. Many people do not realize there are federal laws in place to protect those who are brave enough to blow the whistle, and when you contact a law firm who will treat you with dignity and respect. For more information regarding blowing the whistle as a federal employee, keep reading.
What Protects Federal Whistleblowers?
The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 protects federal whistleblowers. This act specifically outlines ways that federal agencies should and should not act regarding the employees who have blown the whistle. Many federal agencies encourage the idea of “If you see something, say something” policy, and Congress established this act exactly for that purpose.
What Does Retaliation Look Like?
Retaliation can come in many forms. Unfortunately, it is not always as easy to identify as an employer firing an employee immediately after blowing the whistle. Instead, it can come in the form of shifting the employee to a different shift that does not pay as well, encouraging others at work to ostracize the whistleblower, and even passing them up for promotion when they are well-qualified and a promotion is due.
What Does It Protect?
A few things that the Whistleblower Protection Act specifically protects are:
- Protecting against firing
- Protection against a reduction in pay
- Protection against blacklisting
- Protection against reassignment
What If I Am Being Retaliated Against?
If your employer is retaliating against you, the WPA has an outlined procedure in place to allow whistleblowers to file retaliation complaints against their employers. When this happens, and if you win your case, you may be eligible for back pay for the salary you would have made while working, and you could also receive repayment for various fees like attorney fees and compensatory damages.
How Do I Know If I Meet the Standards to Be Protected?
The WPA can protect you if you have evidence that:
- You made a protected whistleblowing disclosure regarding your employer and
- Your agency retaliated against you specifically for making this disclosure
Am I protected By Anything Else?
While the Whistleblower Protection Act is your main source of protection after blowing the whistle, there are a few other laws and regulations that can protect you. These are the No-FEAR Act of 2002, the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012.
Can a Lawyer Help Me?
If you are a federal employee who has blown the whistle on your employer, you likely want to know what rights you have and how you can be protected. An experienced team of attorneys will work hard to give you justice after your employer has retaliated against you, and will give your case the time and dedication they give to each one of their clients. If you have any further questions or if you would like to speak with an attorney, call a lawyer, like a whistleblower retaliation claim lawyer in Washington DC from Eric Siegel Law.