When you discover your employer isn’t following standard safety standards, putting workers in danger, or engaging in fraud, you may feel compelled to report it. However, you feel apprehensive about that. You don’t expect your employer to fix the problem. In fact, you are concerned about losing your job. What if you employer fires you because you become a whistleblower?
Whistleblower protection laws
In New York, whistleblowers have protection under state labor laws. Under these laws, employers can’t fire employees who report:
- violations of law
- health care fraud
- violations of rules and regulations that endanger public safety
Employers also can’t suspend or demote employees who report such violations or who refuses to participate in violating laws, rules or regulations. Even if you are a contract employee, you get whistleblower protection under New York law. If you are do lose your job for becoming a whistleblower, you can file a lawsuit against your company for violating whistleblower retaliation laws.
What to do before becoming a whistleblower
However, it’s always better to consult an attorney before becoming a whistleblower. You want to ensure you report your employer while maintaining maximum whistleblower protection for yourself. Or if you already suffering from harassment or abuse because you won’t participate in your employer’s illegal actions, you can better protect yourself from harassment and abuse with an attorney’s help.
You want to take the right steps when considering becoming a whistleblower. Then, you will know you will get the protection you need for reporting your employer’s illegal or unsafe activities.
