Blowing the whistle can have a drastic impact on your job and your career. Given the potential consequences, it is best to thoroughly evaluate your situation prior to taking such extreme measures.
If you do choose to whistle-blow, the law provides protection from irrational and unethical behavior from your employer. The U.S. Employer.gov website provides a comprehensive list of whistleblower protections. Knowing your rights can help you advocate for fairness.
Unethical behavior could hurt many
Unethical behavior in the workplace can harm many people including investors and consumers. If you inform the public about what happens behind closed doors, you could protect many people from the collateral damage of unethical conduct.
Illegal activity could jeopardize your reputation
White-collar criminal activity can have far-reaching consequences that could even implicate those who are not directly involved. If you know about illegal activity in the workplace and feel threatened by the reality that could happen, blowing the whistle may be one of the only ways to protect your reputation.
Inactivity will enable unprofessional conduct
Unprofessional conduct includes harassment, non-attendance, intimidation and manipulation. Even though not all of these may equate to breaking the law, they can definitely contribute to a hostile and harmful environment. Staying quiet about these types of issues could enable your employer.
You deserve the right to work in an environment that allows you to progress personally and professionally. If harmful conditions disrupt your productivity, blowing the whistle might be the best decision to protect your career and future. It could also ultimately benefit other employees in your workplace.