The First Whistleblower

Protecting and promoting the rights of whistleblowers and workers

1. What IS a "Whistleblower" ?
2. What should I do BEFORE I make a report/disclosure?
3. HOW show I make a report?
4. WHO should I send my report to?
5. What could happen to me if I DON'T make a report?
6. Could I get a $REWARD$ for making a report?
7. Am I protected from reprisal?
8. What is considered a "reprisal"?
9. What should I do if I believe I have been subjected to reprisals?
10. What rights do I have if I am questioned about a Whistleblower matter?

You are probably thinking, if I just do what I'm told, I won't get in trouble.

Think again...

• Get fired!
• Get sued!
• End up in JAIL!

If someone other than YOU, files a Whistleblower Disclosure, and you are involved, or even just aware of, unethical or illegal activity, YOU could be prosecuted for not reporting it yourself! Think about it, if something unethical or illegal is going on, "somebody" is going to be the "fall-guy". Why wouldn't it be YOU?

You boss is constantly leaving work for hours on end, or doesn't come in at all. You are his administrative assistant and know that he is, playing golf, in a bar all afternoon, at a hotel having an affair with a married coworker, working a "side job".

You (and half the department) know what is going on. He has given you specific instructions on how to get in touch with him if a "real emergency" comes up. Being his "loyal assistant", you constantly cover for him. Whenever HIS boss comes looking for him, you have an excuse ready as to why he isn't in the office "right now". At the end of every week, YOU are the one submitting his time card to HIS boss. Little did you know, he is being followed by a team of investigators because someone else reported him for what he was doing.

He gets caught, and You're FIRED!

Why? Because YOU covered up for him (YOU are now an accessory to theft!). YOU "falsified" his time card (YOU falsified payroll records!) Try and find a new job now!

Your boss puts you in charge of a project. One where he is using some of the resources or money for his own benefit. Or, he is just "being creative" by redirecting some of the money or resources to another project. None of it is going to you. How could you get in trouble?

You are responsible for writing all the status and budget reports. (The way HE orders you to write them.) Suddenly, there's an investigation. The first thing your boss says is, "HE knew NOTHING about it! It was YOUR project, YOU wrote all the reports." What proof do you have that he told you to do anything? Its your word against his, and he's the boss. It was YOUR responsibility.

You're FIRED! And, YOU are charged with "misuse of funds." (Try finding a new job now!)

You come to work one day and the boss calls a surprise meeting for everyone in the department. He makes an announcement that one of your co-workers is no longer allowed on the property and if anyone sees them they should report it immediately. (He gives no explanation and you are told not to ask.)

A couple weeks later, you hear that Human Resources has begun an "internal investigation" and is going to interview all the employees in the department.

The boss privately calls you in to his office and starts giving you the "loyal employee" speech, telling you how he'll remember your efforts in the future if you just "play along" with him. You, being the "loyal employee" agree. You tell human resources about how you and everyone else had problems with this person, how they were always late, how terrible their work was, and that "whatever" the fired employee said about your boss wasn't true (HR won't tell you what they are investigating).

Six months goes bye. The former employee files a lawsuit against the department and there is HR with YOUR statement about how terrible this person was. The former employee's attorney gets you on the witness stand and asks you if your statement is the truth. Naturally, you say "Yes!"

Little did you know....(after YOU have left the court room)... That attorney, has copies of the former employee's time cards showing they were always on time, if not early. That attorney, has copies of emails YOU sent thanking them for their help on some past project or problem you had. That attorney has copies of their past performance appraisals where YOUR BOSS has put in writing what an "asset to the department" they were.

Now...

• YOU get FIRED for lying to Human Resources (HR has to cover THEIR butt!) ,
• YOU get SUED for slander and defamation of character by the former employee,
• YOU get charged with CRIMINAL perjury and obstruction of justice!

All of these are real life situations that employees are faced with every day. Before you cover for someone else's misdeeds, falsify or alter a document (because you were told to), or lie to show how "loyal an employee" you are, STOP! THINK!

Do YOU what to get FIRED, SUED, or put in JAIL for someone else?