Sometimes an employee may be the whistleblower against their own organization. The law makes sure that these employees are protected, and their contracts cannot be terminated while the proceedings are underway. A person cannot be punished for speaking up against something that they feel is wrong. But organizations may choose to retaliate against whistleblowers in several other ways.

Retaliation can be expressed in terms of harassment, discrimination or any other adverse action taken against the employee. Firing an employee, discrimination against them and reducing their benefits are all types of employer retaliation. Sometimes employers might ignore employees who chose to report illegal work-related acts. Their career might come to a standstill because they get overlooked for promotions. They could be reassigned to tasks that are not beneficial for their career. These are some ways in which the employer might retaliate against their employee.

The employee who spoke against the organization is not the only one who could face retaliation. Other employees who become part of the investigation, or are questioned by the authorities could also face retaliation. It does not matter whether the complaint brought forward by the employee was correct. Even if it was a false accusation, the employer has no right to retaliate against the employee. Employers should be careful when handling an employee who has already complained against them. They should be careful to avoid any acts that might look like retaliation against that specific employee.

If you feel that your employer is retaliating against you for speaking up against them, it is advisable to hire an experienced employment attorney. The attorney will let you know your rights and guide you through the complicated proceedings.