Whistleblower

To contact Donna Ballman regarding a news story or speaking engagement about whistleblowing, email her at ballmand@ballmanfirm.com. Donna Ballman is not accepting new employment law matters at this time.

Employees who expose corruption or wrongdoing on the part of an employer are granted certain legal protections and prerogatives under Florida's Whistle Blower Act. Since employers engaged in illegal activity are interested in avoiding exposure, employees who threaten to contact the authorities or who alert upper management are often subject to harassment, intimidation, or the loss of their job. Under Florida's Whistle Blower Act, whistleblowers are entitled to economic damages for acts of retaliation undertaken by an employer. Damages may include compensation for lost wages, lost earnings, denied stock options, cancellation of medical coverage, denied promotions, and emotional pain and suffering.

Under Florida's Whistle Blower Act, employees punished for exposing malfeasance on the part of their employer are entitled to certain protections. In general, the law protects employees who are punished by their employer for the following:

• Objecting to or refusing to commit, or participate in, illegal activity
• Providing written notice to a boss or manager threatening to inform governmental authorities of illegal activity committed by an employer
• Cooperating with government authorities investigating acts of wrongdoing

Employers confronted with workers who are willing to expose wrongdoing often engage in misdirection, obfuscation, and even intimidation. They will look for an excuse to deny a whistle blower a promotion, fire them for alleged abuse of company policy, or transfer them to another location.

Employers can also defame whistleblowers by spreading malicious lies or making unflattering statements about them. This can impact a whistleblower's ability to find employment within the company or elsewhere.

There are other legal issues that impact whistle blower cases, such as federal or state anti-discrimination law. Understanding your protections and your rights is essential in evaluating the legal options available to you. To locate an employee-side employment attorney, go to http://exchange.nela.org/findalawyer.