When filing a lawsuit under the False Claims Act, you may submit relevant facts and documents to substantiate your case. The Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds, however, notes that employers may destroy evidence after employees discover their unlawful actions.
According to Whistleblower.House.gov, taking pictures instead of removing documents may help avoid raising an employer’s suspicions. To prevent an employer from retaliating, you may take proactive steps to protect and secure documents or images in a safe location. An attorney, for example, offers confidential safekeeping for your collected evidence.
Materials that may serve as evidence
Whistleblowers assist the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration with its investigative procedures. Whistleblowers.gov explains that assigned investigators engage in objective fact-finding, review the evidence and remain impartial. The investigator contacts the employer and may request a range of materials and information relevant to the complaint.
Your claim could include supporting materials such as emails, text messages and phone logs. Any materials related to your claim of misconduct may prove helpful. You could, for example, submit a work contract or company handbook to show how an employer deviated from expected or mandated standards. You may also provide contact information for witnesses who could back up your claim.
Individuals who may provide information
When supplying the names and numbers of individuals to support your claim, you may describe how they could help an investigation. If you engaged in conversations concerning an employer’s wrongful actions, include dates and locations. Email exchanges and paperwork records showing timelines of your discussions with witnesses could prove helpful to the investigation.
A qui tam lawsuit may disclose information about an employer’s unlawful actions that harm its employees and customers. Submitting claims of fraud or legal violations generally requires strong proof of wrongful conduct. Federal law prohibits companies from retaliating against employees who gather evidence of unlawful acts.