07/13/2015 // KellerGroverWB // Jeffrey F. Keller // (press release)
When whistleblowers speak out about fraud, they do so to identify and help stop improper behavior. As many frauds have far-ranging impact — whether to taxpayers, a company’s shareholders, or society at large — the good that whistleblowers do can be immeasurable. But those committing the wrong – frequently the whistleblower’s employer – may be tempted to retaliate by firing, demoting, or transferring those who unveil it.
One of the most important things whistleblower statutes do, then, is to provide protections for insiders who speak out about improper behaviors. The idea is to encourage whistleblowers to come forward by assuring them that there are remedies for any retaliation they might experience.
Many of these protections are quite powerful. But navigating the process can be more complicated than one might expect.
