Being a whistleblower is often intimidating, especially when you don’t know what to expect after reporting the activity you have witnessed. It puts you in a difficult spot, and the legal consequences can have a long-lasting impact on you. It can result in penalties at your job, and it can harm your reputation. A whistleblower lawyer like one at Eric Siegel Law knows how hard it can be to be a whistleblower, which is why it’s recommended that you immediately seek legal action. It is a unique and risky position to be in, so you need to understand how to protect your rights. A lawyer will guide you so that you can recover any damages and ensure you are protected. There are several risks and consequences that you need to be aware of as a whistleblower.
Retaliation
The threat of retaliation is one of the biggest concerns that whistleblowers have. A whistleblower lawyer like one from Eric Siegel Law can explain to you the many statutes that grant rights and protections to whistleblowers. It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you if you decide to take legal action. If you believe that you are being threatened with retaliation or your employer has enacted changes to your job that constitutes retaliation, speak to a lawyer right away.
Changes to Your Personal Life
The decision to become a whistleblower can mean many major changes or even sacrifices that you will have to make. You will have to maintain a low profile, monitor your communications, and reduce your presence on social media. You may have to limit contact with many family members and friends because you are involved in such an important legal case. Until your case is resolved, you will have to be willing to make sacrifices in your personal life.
Harm to Your Reputation
Many whistleblowers are concerned with how their reputation will be impacted by their decision to report criminal activity. It is a big reason why many whistleblowers take so long to come forward and report illegal activity like fraud, embezzlement, and other crimes. When you hire a lawyer, they will provide you with the legal support you need.
When you go to a whistleblower lawyer, they can help prepare the facts of the case and examine the evidence. It requires a great deal of compelling evidence to bring forward a whistleblower case. If you are making impactful accusations against an individual, company or organization, you need to have the evidence to back up your claim. Learn more about what a whistleblower lawyer like one at Eric Siegel Law can offer you by scheduling a consultation.