The vast majority of employers act within the confines of law. Generally, most companies also implement policies and procedures that respect the rights of employees.
Nonetheless, this isn’t always the case. An employee will often have little option but to “blow the whistle” on questionable workplace practices. This can put workers in an awkward position and they may fear negative repercussions. However, whistleblowers are protected by the law.
Outlined below are two common examples of employee whistleblowing.
Health and safety issues
All occupations have certain dangers, but some industries are more hazardous than others. For example, the construction industry is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous sectors. Thus, employers have a legal duty to keep workers as safe as possible. This means ensuring that workers are scheduled for the appropriate working hours and are not forced to work in unnecessarily hazardous conditions.
In most occupations in New York, employees are entitled to at least one rest day per week. If an employee raises concerns about working continuously for a prolonged period, they should not be penalized for this. The same can be said if a worker raises concerns over clear safety hazards.
Reporting criminal activity
If an employee recognizes that the company they work for is engaging in criminal activities, such as fraud and other white collar crimes, this can be an uncomfortable situation. They may feel that if they report the conduct then they will lose their job. However, whistleblowers who report criminal activity are protected from repercussions.
It takes immense courage to become a whistleblower but you do have legal protections. The more legal information you have at your disposal the better protected you are.
