Tips for Whistleblowers Working in Tech

If you have any reason to believe your company is engaged in wrongdoing, such as misusing user data or various types of fraud, you can become a whistleblower by reporting the issue through the appropriate channels. Although this can be a nerve-racking responsibility to take on, it’s possible that you are the only person capable of stopping the problem.

If you choose to become a whistleblower when working in the tech industry, here are some tips that can help:

• Think it through carefully: Becoming a whistleblower is not a decision you should make lightly. Consider whether the action is a violation of the law, and then determine your best course of action. Should you go through internal channels in your company? If no channel for reporting wrongdoing exists internally, what steps can you take to report the issue while also minimizing your risk of retaliation?
• Keep thorough notes: Any time you are involved in a situation that could eventually go to court, you must document everything. Keep track of communications and instances of wrongdoing, and make sure you have dates on everything.
• Do not clue in coworkers: You are only setting yourself up for disaster if you start cluing in other people to what you are doing. This could potentially reveal your status as a whistleblower, opening you up to some significant consequences. Never use your intentions as a threat or as leverage, as it could doom your case from the start.
• Shore up your resume: Just in case, it is a good idea to start preparing for a job search, as it is impossible to know what sort of state you and your company will be in after you make the disclosure.

It is highly recommended that you speak with a whistleblower attorney early on in the process so you do not make any decisions that could come back to haunt you later. For further guidance, reach out to a trusted attorney with Kardell Law Group today.