Ron Schwartz, an attorney at Katz, Friedman, Eagle, Eisenstein, Johnson & Bareck, P.C., is an employment law lawyer who represents employees with Whistleblower claims.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice regarding Whistleblower law.
Employee whistleblowers quite often assume that if their employer only knew of unlawful activity by a co-worker or supervisor that steps would be taken to remedy the problem. So employees make internal complaints but don’t go to governmental authorities. Unfortunately, in many workplaces whistleblowers are regarded as threats and as “tattletales.” Unscrupulous employers look for reasons to fire whistleblowers, building a seeming reasonable basis to end their employment.
The Illinois Whistleblower Act protects whistleblowers but only if the necessary steps are taken to be covered by the law. An employer can’t retaliate against employees for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency (the authorities), if they have reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation.
However, for coverage under the Illinois Whistleblower Act employees must go to the authorities and then inform the employer that they made the complaint. If the employer doesn’t know that a complaint has been made to the authorities then employees aren’t covered by the Act. Notifying the employer takes courage. Having a lawyer represent you may make a difference. Please considering calling Ron Schwartz at (312) 263-6300 for a legal consultation.
Revised: 3/19/2010
Nothing on this attorney web site should be understood as offering legal advice regarding Whistleblower law or any other legal subject.
