Most people probably expect their workplace to be fairly routine on a day-to-day basis. So, when an employee finds out that the employer has engaged in illegal activity, it can be quite a surprise. The illegal activity could be something like purposefully failing to pay wages that are owed, falsifying official documents or even hiring undocumented workers. Principled employees who find themselves in this type of situation make the right move: inform the appropriate authorities.
However, these “whistleblowers” put themselves in a potentially awkward position when they are forced to report their employer’s illegal activity. Even if an individual employee is terminated, fined or imprisoned because of the illegal activity in question, that person may have allies remaining among management at the company. And, as a result, sometimes whistleblowers suffer significant consequences.
Fortunately, whistleblower protection is something that state and federal law consider important. If an employee in Minnesota suffers any adverse consequences due to reporting illegal activity by the employer, that employee may have legal recourse.
At our law firm, we understand that whistleblowers have concerns when they make the right move but suffer the consequences. We work with our clients to attempt to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. That compensation can include damages for emotional distress and lost wages, as well as punitive damages. But, it is important for employees in this type of situation to take the right approach. For more information about how we work to help protect whistleblowers in Minnesota, please visit our law firm’s website.
