Federal Employee Whistleblower Reprisals
A whistleblower is an employee that exposes a violation at his or her place of work. Of course, many people may be afraid of what will happen to them at work if they expose co-workers or supervisors for committing wrongful acts. This is why the government has laws protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.
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What if I want to keep my identity confidential when I blow the whistle?
You can disclose information about the violation you witnessed to the Office of Special Counsel. This office accepts confidential phone calls to their Whistleblower Disclosure Hotline, and also by mail. You should however keep in mind that if you find yourself retaliated against at work for being a suspected whistleblower, your claims of retaliation will be more difficult to make.
What if I report what I believe is a violation, but it turns out I was mistaken?
If you report a perceived violation, and it turns out you made a mistake, you may still be covered by whistleblower protections. You will be protected from retaliation as long as your belief that a violation was occurring was reasonable.
Federal employee whistleblower protections
If you are a federal employee, and have acted as a whistleblower, you are likely protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). Under the WPA, any actions taken against you as a result of your having exposed a violation, will be against the law. You may bring a whistle blower retaliation case several different ways, including as an affirmative defense under the Merit System Protection Board, as an Individual Right of Action, or as a Union Grievance if you are a Union Employee. Consult with an attorney to determine the best course of action for your personal set of circumstances and claim.
If you work for an agency not specifically covered in the act, you should consult an attorney to discuss your concerns.
What will happen if my claim is successful?
If you were retaliated against for being a whistleblower, you may be entitled to corrective actions including getting your job back if you were terminated, attorney fees, back pay as well as the benefits you lost, and compensatory damages.
Contact Stern Law, PLLC for A Free Consultation
At Stern Law, PLLC, we have compassionate and caring attorneys ready to work with you to find the best solution to your employment law related legal issues. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 for a free consolation with an experienced employment attorney.
