subject: Understanding whether you qualify as a whistleblower [print this page] Understanding whether you qualify as a whistleblower
When you find out that your employer is involved in an illegal activity, you have the right to notify certain authorities, e.g. the government or the media. The US federal law as well as Ohio law offer protection for any employee if he/she blows the whistle', i.e. reports an unlawful activity.
However, before you decide to take any decision in this regard, get a consultation with your employment law attorney. Why is this necessary? Only a legal professional can help you understand whether what you want to report qualifies you as a whistleblower or not. For this, the activity reported must be
True, and not assumed
Of serious nature, and not frivolous
Illegal in nature
For example, you can file a report if your employer commits tax fraud, or illegally terminates employees, or violates an environmental law, or such others. However, your report would be of no value if it reports a workplace dispute or misconduct. To qualify as a whistleblower, you need to report an activity that has an impact on many.
Only a good employment attorney can help assess whether the activity' you suspect as illegal is really so. Remember, the laws that protect whistleblowers also suggest that you must qualify as one to get protection.
Who can get the protection? Ohio employment laws provide this protection for all public and private employees of the state. If you report unlawful activities of your employer, offer assistance in investigations or refuse to participate in unlawful activities of your employer, you become eligible for protection.
How does the protection work? After you report your employer's illegal practice, you may face retaliatory action. Ohio Whistleblower Statute protects you from such retaliatory actions like dismissal or suspension from job, demotion, withheld salary increase or benefits, and such other things.
What do you do if you face such retaliation at workplace? Contact an Ohio employment law attorney immediately. He/she can guide you in filing a suit and claiming your rights. If you can prove your status as a whistleblower, you can stop it and get compensation including lost wages, reinstatement, back pay, and punitive damages.
Availing proper help from an attorney is a good idea before you take any legal step. Whether you want to report an unlawful activity or stop retaliatory action, because you did it, you need a competent attorney for handling the job. Discuss the details of your case beforehand to avoid later hassles.
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