Whistleblower Protection: Know Your Rights
By Darwin F. Johnson on June 23rd, 2016 in Atlanta Workers Comp, Macon Workers Comp, Savannah Worker's Comp, Workers Compensation
Sometimes good citizens are punished for doing the right thing.
What I mean by that, in relation to workers’ rights, is this: Employees often experience wrongdoing at work—in a variety of senses of the term—and choose to expose those improper actions in an attempt to help reverse the issues they see. Way to speak up! In case you didn’t already know, that’s called whistleblowing.
But unfortunately, the public or private entities for whom those whistleblowers work tend not to like being exposed, and will often fire or punish the employees who call them out. That’s not right, and in Georgia it’s actually illegal.
Fortunately, if you blew the whistle on workplace wrongdoing and were fired for it, you have laws to protect you. Let’s delve into some of the specifics about whistleblowing. If you find yourself in a situation like this, it’ll be smart to consult a workman comp lawyer serving Macon, GA and areas nearby. Read on to see if you should call me!
What’s a Whistleblower?
Simply put, a whistleblower is someone who exposes illegal activity that they see take place in the organization for which he or she works. Whistleblowing is often associated with government agencies, but it can (and often does) take place beyond the public sector. Whether it’s in regard to policy, the law, regulations or even corruption and fraud, if you see it happening and don’t keep quiet about it, you’re considered a whistleblower.
I Thought I Was Doing the Right Thing, But I Got Fired!
I know how frustrating that can be, trust me. But don’t forget you have rights! If you find yourself in a situation as such, keep these facts in mind:
- Your employer is not legally allowed to retaliate against you in whistleblower cases in Georgia
- If they do, you are entitled to file a lawsuit with the superior court, provided you file within one year of the retaliatory act, or three years of the incident.
If you blew the whistle and got punished for it, it’s strongly advised that you get in touch with an attorney immediately. As a dedicated work comp lawyer serving Athens, GA and nearby areas, I’d glad to schedule a free consultation and discuss your situation. Thanks for standing up for what’s right!
Now let me help you stand up for yours.
