Barclays, the British banking giant, is now under scrutiny for improper actions taken in attempt to seek out the identity of a whistleblower. At the request of its chief executive, Barclays tried to unmask the sender of two letters of complaint against a mid-level executive that were sent to its board by reaching out to the United States Postal Service. The chief executive had a previous professional relationship with the subject of those letters.
Whistleblowers are often employees or former employees who report illegal or fraudulent activity by an employer, a government, or an organization. Because whistleblowers are at risk of becoming victims of retaliation for making such reports, state and federal laws were created to protect them.
According to federal law, protection from workplace retaliation against a whistleblower means that an employer cannot take “adverse action” against the worker. This includes:
- Firing or laying off
- Blacklisting
- Demoting
- Denying overtime or promotions
- Disciplining
- Denial of benefits
- Failure to hire or rehire
- Intimidation/harassment
- Making threats
- Reassignment affecting prospects for promotion
- Reducing pay or hours
If you have experienced retaliation by an employer by blowing the whistle on fraud or illegal activity, contact the Philadelphia whistleblower lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates P.C. right away. You can call us at 215-569-1999 or connect with us online for a free consultation.
