What Should I Do If I Suspect My Employer Is Conducting Illegal Activity?

Contrary to what some employers believe, they are not untouchable in the workplace. If they are doing something illegal, they can be reprimanded and held liable. 

You may be exposed to some illegal activity that your employer is doing. What do you do if you suspect your employer of doing something illegal? What if it turns out you’re wrong?

What would be the best way to proceed in this case? Let an employment lawyer from Minnis & Smallets review your case and provide the proper legal assistance.

Gather All Of The Facts

Even though your employer could be engaged in illegal activity, you may not know for sure if it violates the law. Before taking any future action, you want to ensure that you have the necessary evidence to back up your claims.

This could be documented evidence like witness statements, videotaped evidence, or a detailed incident report. You also want to know the laws your employer is violating or what makes your employer’s actions illegal.

Follow The Chain Of Command

Before reporting your employer for any suspected illegal behavior, you may want to share your concerns with your human resources department or the next person in the chain of command.

Each company has a chain of command to which you can report workplace concerns. After sharing your concerns, the human resources department or the next supervisor should investigate the employer’s actions.

If they don’t take your concerns seriously, you may want to consider filing a complaint with a government agency.

Potential Issues With Reporting Your Employer

Many employees turn the other way when their employers are engaged in illegal activity because of retaliation. Employers who want to punish their employees for reporting them will retaliate in some way against those employees.

This includes reducing your work hours, demoting you, denying you a promotion, or firing you. All of these actions are illegal if they are done to retaliate against you.

What Is A Hostile Work Environment?

These actions can also cause you to work in a hostile work environment. One negative consequence of retaliation is the creation of a hostile work environment.

Your employer can make your workplace unbearable for you to be in if they are irritated about being reported. Creating a hostile work environment is another form of harassment in the workplace.

Just like retaliation, creating a hostile work environment is illegal.

Confidential Reporting

Fortunately, there are ways for you to remain anonymous while you report your employer. Your human resources department may ask if you want to remain anonymous, and the government agency can keep your identity confidential.

But there may be points during the investigation where your identity must be revealed to the employer.

Call An Employment Lawyer At Minnis & Smallets Today

The employment lawyers at Minnis & Smallets have a successful track record of pursuing compensation on behalf of employees who experienced unlawful retaliation after they complained of illegal activity. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation.