The protection afforded by whistleblowers worldwide has been debated for some time now. Despite the government’s best efforts to offer protection, some people suffered negative repercussions after exposing illegal activity such as fraud or corruption. Thus, legal protection has been extended to diminish the risks to which whistleblowers are exposed.

Some countries have laws that offer protection for whistleblowers about:

• Allegations of fraud
• Unsafe working conditions
• Security issues

Some countries also allocate funds for substantial rewards if an allegation is valid. The U.S. government encourages people to come forward if they have any information. Having a skilled legal team on your side can help protect your rights and look after your interest.

The Current Climate

In the United States, the American New Deal Coalition has been created to encourage people to come forward if they feel that the company they work for is not offering safe employment or working conditions.

This organization states that whistleblowers have been integral in helping prevent or diminish the risk of environmental pollution, terrorism, and other safety-related issues. There is also a reward system that awards people who report irregularities.

Whistleblower protection is also provided by various other organizations and individuals who are willing to help. Learn more about whistleblowing from the experts at Whistleblowers International.

Whistleblowing Law and Recent History

People worldwide expressed interest in the new laws that have been put in place to protect whistleblowers from being fired. Private companies, the federal government, and some state governments in the United States have whistleblower laws designed to protect employees from being fired for coming forward with information on illegal activity.

These laws came about due to several high-profile cases such as Enron, Worldcom, and numerous others brought to light by an employee who was fired due to their actions.

The growing number of whistleblowers has posed a significant problem for many companies exposed for their unethical practices. It is safe to say that the evolving legal safety net around whistleblowers is not received with equal enthusiasm by all.

Whistleblowing Protection From the Legal Perspective

The legal perspective on whistleblower protection is much different depending on the country. Many countries have laws that offer protection for whistleblowers, with some administering substantial rewards if an allegation is proven valid.

In addition to state regulation and encouragement from governments, many companies urge their employees to report any illegal activity they notice and offer rewards for valid allegations.

United States Federal Laws

In the United States, whistleblower protection is provided under the Federal False Claims Act and other laws designed to protect employees who speak out and take action. For example, federal law prohibits retaliation against any employee who is a protected group member, such as a whistleblower. This law applies to all government agencies.

This law doesn’t just apply to those directly employed by a government agency but to anyone acting on the government’s behalf.

For example, a former undercover agent can be protected under this law if they attempt to expose any illegal activity on behalf of the United States government. Employees who have managed to evade the law for some time may even find themselves in court as individual civil actions are brought against them due to their actions.

Since whistleblower protection laws aren’t typically unique to individual states, federal laws protect employees from retaliation based on whistleblowing, even if they act on behalf of the state.

Suppose you are employed by a government agency or are working for a company serving the government. In that case, you can be protected under federal law as well, in addition to any applicable local laws.

Final Thoughts

If you decide to take action against an injustice you witnessed, seek out a legal expert to ensure that you are protected under the law. An attorney can help protect your rights and keep you safe for the duration of the legal proceedings and beyond.

With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.