Finding or knowing about fraudulent activities in the workplace puts an employee in a tough position. While it may be uncomfortable, reporting fraud is both the right thing to do and may be legally required. Some might be afraid to report out of fear of retaliation from the employer, which unfortunately, does occur. If you reported fraud at work and were fired because of it, you could have a case for wrongful termination for reporting fraud in Deerfield.
Our wrongful termination attorneys at S.T. Legal Group are experienced with cases involving retaliation and unlawful termination. Schedule a free, 30-minute call with us, so we can evaluate your case to see if we can assist you. We are committed to protecting workers’ rights and helping people who have been unjustly fired seek compensation.
Even though Illinois is an at-will employment state, meaning that employers may terminate an employee’s employment for any reason or without a reason, there are several legal protections for whistleblowers. A whistleblower is someone who reports illegal conduct or hazardous conditions. The Illinois Whistleblower Act, 740 ILCS 174, protects an employee’s right to report fraudulent activities without fear of retaliation. Retaliation includes any adverse action against an employee for reporting fraud, such as:
When an employer retaliates against an employee by firing them, the worker may have a strong wrongful termination claim.
Many laws prohibit wrongful termination by retaliation. The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 offers protection to federal employees, ensuring that federal agencies cannot terminate their employment for reporting fraud, among other things. Additional laws may be relevant and offer protection for workers, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. For example, the False Claims Act protects an employee’s right to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against those who have committed fraud. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibits employers from retaliating against employees of publicly traded companies who report fraud.
There are many protections aimed at whistleblowers because when illegal, unsafe, or unethical conduct (like fraud) are exposed by employees, the negative conduct ends. The government at both the federal and state level offers legal protection to ensure reporting fraud and other conduct is not disincentivized.
If you reported fraud and were wrongfully terminated in retaliation, reach out to our Deerfield attorneys to discuss your next steps.
If an employee discovers or knows about fraudulent conduct on their employer’s part, their first step should be to contact a lawyer. Having an experienced professional as a guide through what may be a stressful process is helpful to make sure everything is done properly. It also increases your chance of a successful claim. Creating and safeguarding detailed records of fraud can serve as evidence of the fraud as well as legal protection for the employee. An attorney could help ensure that internal reporting procedures are followed when reporting fraud.
If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job in Deerfield because you reported fraud, there are several legal remedies you could pursue. Depending on the circumstances of your employment and the fraud reported, a lawyer can help file a whistleblower complaint with a government agency. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) receives complaints on financial fraud, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives complaints about consumer fraud.
No one deserves to be retaliated against for doing the right thing, and thankfully, the law agrees. If your former employer retaliated against you, contact S.T. Legal Group to learn more about wrongful termination for reporting fraud in Deerfield. Employers who violate whistleblower protection laws should be held accountable. An individual who has experienced wrongful termination could pursue compensation to cover lost wages, reinstatement, and damages.
Our team at S.T. Legal Group is experienced with cases like this. Contact us today for a free, 30-minute call to discuss your case.
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