Reporting Your Employer’s Illegal Conduct? Do These Two Things
Dec 02, 2024
Most workers who make reports of their employer’s illegal conduct are trying to do the right thing, and expect their employers to do the right thing and fix the situation. In many situations, workers who make such reports are protected by laws that prohibit retaliation, including reports of sexual or other discriminatory harassment or certain types of fraud or waste. However, as those of us who represent employees know all too well, just because retaliation is illegal, does not mean it won’t happen.
If an employer retaliates against you, the first thing you must prove is that the employer knew you made the complaint in the first place. Often, potential clients tell us that they made only an oral complaint. If there is no written proof that you made a complaint prior to a retaliatory action against you, you may have trouble proving that the complaint was made at all. How many times have you heard someone say: “Well, it was just a “he-said-she said situation…”?
If you believe that your employer has done something illegal and you want to report it, do these two things:
- First, consult with an experienced employment attorney before you make the report. Your lawyer can help you weigh the risks and benefits of moving forward.
- Second, if you decide to take the courageous step of reporting unlawful employer conduct, make sure the report is documented in writing in a way that will help you prove the complaint was made, to whom it was made, and when it was made. And don’t forget to keep a copy – just in case.
If you have witnessed what you believe is illegal conduct by an employer and are considering your next steps, the experienced employment law attorneys at Uebler Law LLC can guide you through your options. Contact us here.
