What Is Whistleblowing?
You may be considered a whistleblower if you have reported or declined to participate in illegal actions that were perpetrated by your employer. Whistleblower laws include the Whistleblower Protection Law, which is meant to protect workers who are doing the right thing and to prevent retaliation by their employers.
Whistleblowing activities may include:
- Making a claim against an entity under the False Claims Act or the IRS, SEC, or CFTC whistleblower statutes
- Reporting to your company conduct which violates a state or federal law
- Reporting your company’s illegal conduct to an external agency
- Reporting to your company that its treatment of you or others violates state or federal laws
- Reporting your company’s treatment of you or other employees to an external agency
- Refusing to commit fraud, OSHA violations, or engage in illegal activities
- Participation in an internal or external investigation
Whistleblower Retaliation in Texas
While it is illegal for employers to take negative action against employees who have made a complaint about unlawful conduct, it can happen. As an executive, you face a great number of risks to your career, your livelihood, and your reputation.
Retaliation actions can include:
- Demotion
- Termination of employment
- Denial of benefits or opportunities
- Giving poor performance reviews to prevent promotion
- Threats or abusive treatment
How To Protect Yourself in Executive Whistleblower Cases
If you have observed illegal conduct and are planning to make a report, it is critical to speak with an experienced Houston employment attorney who is deeply familiar with executive whistleblower cases in Texas. They can help you prepare your complaint and defend yourself from retaliation.
- Before making a complaint: Your lawyer can help you minimize potential negative actions and ensure you are protected by law.
- While employed by the company: Your Houston employment attorney can help you recognize retaliation and develop a strategy to address it
- After termination: If you have been terminated or you are aware that your termination is pending, your lawyer can help you use your status as a whistleblower to fight for a severance, file a lawsuit, or take other legal action.
Help From Our Houston Whistleblowing Attorneys for Executives
As an executive, your high-profile position in a company grants you more power to notice and report unlawful conduct. Unfortunately, you may also be shown in a negative light for going against the company, especially if your action affects your company’s clients or business dealings. Because of the pressure you are under, it can be easy to just keep quiet about issues.
Rather than allow your company to continue their illegal actions, you should get in touch with our Houston whistleblowing lawyers for executives at Shellist Lazarz Slobin. With years of experience in handling high-stakes cases for CEOs, Presidents, and other executives, we are well-equipped to protect you from negative actions. Our deep understanding of whistleblower protection laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and qui tam provisions, allows our Houston whistleblowing lawyers for executives to conceive effective, aggressive strategies to protect your rights.
Schedule a consultation with our Houston employment lawyers to discuss your case. Contact our firm online, or dial (713) 352-3433.
