Even though many people will tout the efforts of an individual who tries to expose illegal and unethical activities, many people who try to stand up for what is right and to promote ethical practices wind up needing a whistleblower law firm Washington DC employees and employees in the surrounding communities can rely on.
What is a Whistleblower?
The word whistleblower (also whistle blower and whistle-blower) has its origins in the 19th century when it was used to refer to someone who literally used a whistle to alert the public about a situation such as a crime or when someone broke the rules during a sporting event. Civil activist Ralph Nader is said to have put a positive spin on the term in the ‘70s in order to avoid the negative connotations that the words “snitch” and “informer” have in regards to a person who tries to make public, a company’s or the government’s wrongdoings.
A whistleblower can be a person who is an employee, contractor, or supplier, etc., of a company or a government agency who discloses information to the public or a higher authority about any wrongdoings of the party or parties they are “blowing the whistle” on.
Common wrongdoings a whistleblower may feel the need to report:
- Fraud
- Corruption
- Illegal activities
- Harassment
These are just a few of the common wrongdoings a whistleblower might report. If you are unsure of whether or not something you think is wrong is a valid problem to report, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a lawyer who is licensed to practice in the state where the wrongdoing occurred (or is occurring).
Whistleblowers are protected by laws, and companies are supposed to have a policy available to employees that clearly states how to report such incident of illegal and/or unethical activities and/or policies. Even with these laws and policies in place, many people are fearful to speak up about wrongdoings for fear of retaliation.
This is one of the many reasons that people in Washington DC and its surrounding communities who are concerned about the wrongdoings of a company or government agency find it beneficial to discuss their situation with a whistleblower law firm Washington DC upstanding citizens and their families can trust.
Whistleblower Protection Act
The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (as amended) is a federal law in the United States that protects federal whistleblowers who work for the government and report agency misconduct. If a federal agency or department within an agency takes or threatens to take retaliatory personnel action against an employee or applicant because of their disclosure of information, they may be in violation of this act.
Under this act, an employee (or contractor, or supplier, etc.) is supposed to be able to safely report and/or file complaints that reasonably evidence:
- Gross mismanagement
- A violation of a law, rule, or regulation
- Gross waste of funds
- An abuse of authority
- A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety
An employee is supposed to be able to speak up about these things without fear of employer and/or supervisor retaliation.
Why Do People Need a Whistleblower Law Firm?
Even with laws and protections in place for people who want to report illegal and unethical wrongdoings, many people who try to do this suffer from retaliation from employers, supervisors and/or co-workers. This can have severe negative impacts on an individual’s reputation and their financial well-being.
If you have blown the whistle on an entity that is doing wrong in Washington DC or in the surrounding states or if you are thinking about doing this, it may be in your best interest to enlist the help of a law firm in DC that is experienced at successfully defending the rights of whistleblowers.
For a whistleblower law firm Washington DC employees and upstanding citizens can count on, contact Cohen & Cohen, today for a free case evaluation with no obligations.