Is Being a Whistleblower Taboo or the Right Thing To Do?
The definition of a whistleblower is an employee (NOT an independent contractor) who refuses to participate in a violation of a law, rule or regulation. How often has your employer asked you to do something that you knew was most likely a violation of some law because it just didn’t seem ethical? Well, the reality is, this type of unethical behavior has overcome corporate America in its attempt to either reduce its costs or increase its profits. If you are uncomfortable with doing something that you believe is wrong, the first thing you should do is write a simple letter to your supervisor telling him/her you feel the activity he/she is asking you to perform is illegal and that you will not do it. At this point, you receive protection under the Florida whistleblower statutes. By putting your concerns in writing, you prevent your bosses and supervisors from retaliating against you for not participating in these violations. However, you have a legal right to sue your employer if they fire or demote you after you put your concerns in writing to them.
If this has happened to you, or you are thinking about writing a letter to your boss, feel free to consult Attorney Scott Haft at LaBovick Law Group for a free case evaluation.
