A whistleblower is a person who exposes evidence of fraud, corruption, or other wrongdoing that occurs within an organization. Whistleblowers are often, but not always, employees, contractors, or agents of the organization who witness the misconduct while doing their jobs. Whistleblower actions are formal proceedings or complaints filed by whistleblowers with a government agency disclosing the misconduct and the supporting evidence.
Those thinking about blowing the whistle often feel overwhelmed by the crisis they are confronted with. But what many people don’t realize is that the law is on the whistleblower’s side. There are powerful protections and powerful incentives in place designed to empower the whistleblower and encourage him or her to come forward.