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The Do’s and Don’ts of Whistleblowing

What is a Whistleblower?

Understanding the Risks and Considerations

A whistleblower is someone who reports corruption or wrongdoing at his or her workplace. Deciding whether to become a whistleblower is something you should consider seriously because, although blowing the whistle is the right thing to do, there can be consequences. Sometimes these consequences are anticipated and sometimes they are collateral. You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to make sure what you’re seeking to blow the whistle on is protected by the 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act (federal) and the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Act (New Jersey).

Seeking Legal Advice

At John J. Zidziunas & Associates, we receive many inquiries about whistleblowing, but many are not properly documented or the “smoking gun” isn’t admissible in court. Before you take any action, it is best to speak with an attorney to make sure you don’t jeopardize your job over a claim that might not be provable in court.

Dos and Don'ts for Whistleblowers

When You’re Ready to Blow the Whistle

Once you’ve decided to proceed, there are a few things you should and should not do during a whistleblower case.

• Don’t report rumors or suppositions.

• Do proceed carefully and think strategically about how you blow the whistle.

• Do speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

At John J. Zidziunas & Associates, we have whistleblowing attorneys who have the experience necessary to handle these complex and delicate cases.

• Do keep in mind that retaliatory action could result if you expose or threaten to expose wrongdoing.

• Don’t discuss confidential information with people.

These proceedings can be contentious and it is best to only speak with your attorney regarding your whistleblower case.

• Don’t cut corners, stretch the truth, or falsify documents.

• Don’t ignore key resources like the National Whistleblowers Center or the American Civil Liberties Union.

• Do follow the law.

• Don’t expect the lawsuit to be quick or easy.

• Do keep in mind that whistleblowing is the right thing to do and the law rewards whistleblowers for stepping forward.

• Do consider that being a whistleblower is a morally important role.

By stepping forward, you can prevent further discrimination, substandard care, fraud, or any number of other offenses. New Jersey and the federal government have gone to great lengths to protect whistleblowers. These cases are often about moral and ethical issues, but whistleblowers can also receive significant financial rewards.

Before you take any action related to a whistleblower case, call our office today. Our dedicated and experienced attorneys can help you through these difficult considerations. To protect yourself, there are many angles that should be considered.

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