Whistle blowing is an act by an employee in telling on an employer when the latter happens to break a law.
However, not all complaint or information filed against the illegal acts of employers constitute whistle blowing. Technically, the act of the employee is only considered whistle blowing if he or she reports the employer’s illegal activities to the proper authorities. A report made by an employee to another co-employee or manager of the company is not considered as a whistle blowing act.
If the act of the employee is not considered whistle blowing, he or she cannot be protected by whistle blowing laws. This is the growing concern of would be whistle blowers in the work place. They are afraid that they might be retaliated against by the employer without any means of defense or recourse.
This is a misconception. Any employee who tells on the illegal acts of his or her employer although not technically considered as whistle blowing is still protected by law. Although it is true that protection under whistle blowing laws will not apply, there are other laws of equal force to make employers pay for retaliation. There is Equal Employment Act and Federal Employment Housing Act, among others, that provide employees recourse for any type of discrimination, harassment, retaliation or unjust and unfair acts committed against an employee.
Do not be afraid to whistle blow. Labor laws are, in reality, in favor of labor or employees. There are more than enough safeguards to protect the rights of every working man in the workplace. It is, however, up to you, to have the courage to pursue your rights against your unjust employers.
However, not all complaint or information filed against the illegal acts of employers constitute whistle blowing. Technically, the act of the employee is only considered whistle blowing if he or she reports the employer’s illegal activities to the proper authorities. A report made by an employee to another co-employee or manager of the company is not considered as a whistle blowing act.
If the act of the employee is not considered whistle blowing, he or she cannot be protected by whistle blowing laws. This is the growing concern of would be whistle blowers in the work place. They are afraid that they might be retaliated against by the employer without any means of defense or recourse.
This is a misconception. Any employee who tells on the illegal acts of his or her employer although not technically considered as whistle blowing is still protected by law. Although it is true that protection under whistle blowing laws will not apply, there are other laws of equal force to make employers pay for retaliation. There is Equal Employment Act and Federal Employment Housing Act, among others, that provide employees recourse for any type of discrimination, harassment, retaliation or unjust and unfair acts committed against an employee.
Do not be afraid to whistle blow. Labor laws are, in reality, in favor of labor or employees. There are more than enough safeguards to protect the rights of every working man in the workplace. It is, however, up to you, to have the courage to pursue your rights against your unjust employers.
