What Is a Whistleblower Claim?
A whistleblower is a person who reports corruption, danger, or other illegal behaviors to public health and safety. Many individuals will be whistleblowers against their places of work, telling their supervisors, the public, or law enforcement about how they and their coworkers are mistreated or subjected to danger.
However, a whistleblower claim may come up if an employer retaliates against an employee for whistleblowing. You can file a claim if you face retaliation for exercising your rights under the protections of state and federal whistleblower laws. Sometimes, an employer may retaliate because they feel their employee has violated a contract, such as a non-disclosure agreement. An NDA does not protect any employer from participating in any illegal behavior.
How Are Whistleblowers Protected Under Texas and Federal Law?
There are many explicit protections for whistleblowers, as dictated by both federal and Texas laws. For example, The Texas Whistleblower Act protects any public employee who files good faith reports of legal violations about their employer to an appropriate authority figure, such as local law enforcement. Under this act, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate by suspending, terminating, or otherwise negatively impacting the whistleblower.
Additionally, The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) protects specific actions on a federal level. The WPA penalizes supervisors who retaliate against whistleblowers who have made a protected disclosure. This federal law protects disclosures related to violations of laws or regulations, waste of funds, abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, and other dangers to public health or safety.
Additional protections exist, such as those for federal contractors who are not federal employees.
What Are Common Forms of Employer Retaliation?
There are several potential forms of employer retaliation that may be used against a whistleblower or other non-whistleblowing employees. Some of the most common types of retaliation from an employer include the following:
- Reprimanding the employee
- Giving a performance evaluation score that is lower than it should be
- Transferring the employee to a less desirable position
- Verbal or physical abuse
- Making or threatening to make reports to authorities, including those relating to immigration status
- Worsened scrutiny
- Spreading false rumors and information
- Treating one or more family members poorly
- Making work more complex, such as by changing work schedule to conflict with other responsibilities
You can contact us to schedule a free consultation and retain our support. We can assist by assessing evidence, completing paperwork on your behalf, and negotiating with all parties.
How Can a Lawyer Help During Your Whistleblower Claim?
When you are involved in legal matters, working with an attorney may be highly beneficial in helping you reach ideal results. If you want to file a whistleblower claim after your employer has retaliated against you, an attorney from Hodges & Foty, LLP can provide significant support.
When you work with us, we can assist you with the following services:
- Conducting an independent review and investigation
- Organizing and analyzing evidence
- Consulting with experts and professionals to create the strongest possible argument
- Completing and filing all paperwork and documents correctly and on time
- Presenting evidence during legal matters, including during litigation
We can also assist you in many additional ways, so we encourage you to reach out to us for guidance.
Need to File a Whistleblower Claim? Get Help From a Lawyer at Hodges & Foty, LLP
At Hodges & Foty, LLP, we are committed to ensuring that whistleblowers receive the protection they deserve when taking a stand against illegal workplace practices. With over 40 years of combined experience, we have successfully guided clients through the complexities of whistleblower claims, helping to safeguard their rights and pursue justice. Our dedicated attorneys understand the legal landscape of both Texas and federal whistleblower laws, and we strive to provide clients with the support necessary to report violations and carry out claims.
If you believe you are facing retaliation for whistleblowing or are uncertain about your protections, we are here to offer legal advice and assistance. Contact us today at (713) 523-0001 or visit our contact form for a consultation.
