Turner Padget Insights
How to Handle a Whistleblower Complaint
Posted On Oct 15, 2014
On S eptember 22, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced a whistleblower award of $30 Million to a whistleblower that came forward with information about an ongoing corporate fraud. Attorney General Eric Holder also spoke of a plan to boost payouts to motivate more whistleblowers.
Whistleblower complaints may seem like an abstract concept – the stuff of big corporate greed and major media drama. But whistleblower actions are very real and can impact companies large and small. Congress has recently passed many new whistleblower protection statutes. In addition, recent Supreme Court opinions broaden the scope of older whistleblower laws. Private companies doing business with publicly traded companies are susceptible, and companies doing business with the federal government, you are susceptible to a possible whistleblower suit under the federal False Claims Act.
Whistleblower actions arise when an employee suspects his company of wrongdoing. He may believe the company is committing accounting fraud, maintaining unsafe working conditions, violating environmental regulations or defrauding the government. These types of concerns, when voiced, can trigger statutory protections for the employee under a number of federal laws, from Sarbanes-Oxley to OSHA to the Clean Air Act. It’s worth noting that, as of October 2014, state whistleblower protections in South Carolina pertain to government employers only, not private employers.
If you are faced with a whistleblower complaint, you need to handle the matter and the employee responsibly.
Below are some initial measures you should consider:
- Document the complaint. When an employee presents a grievance about the legality of a company action or practice, you should document his concerns to maintain a record of what was said and when. You may want to have the employee review, sign and date the record.
- Investigate the allegations. Even if you question the legitimacy of the grievance, you should conduct a preliminary investigation. An employee need only have a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing. Things to consider in your investigation include: the level of seriousness of the wrongdoing, the detail provided, the employee’s background and knowledge and any motives to exaggerate or fabricate. The more serious the allegation, the greater level of care you should take in handling the matter. You may need to interview other employees or review relevant documents and materials. For legitimate grievances, you should notify the whistleblower of your decision to look into the matter further – it is a good idea to keep a good relationship with the whistleblower.
- Protect against retaliation, or the appearance of retaliation. It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee who makes a whistleblower complaint. The whistleblower should not be demoted, transferred or terminated without just cause, nor should he feel isolated, threatened or harassed. Keeping in contact with the employee, ensuring him of your sincerity and their job security are important.
- Consult outside counsel. You should consult with outside counsel regarding your findings and next steps. Counsel can help you to determine any possible reporting requirements or remedial measures you need to undertake. They can also help you determine how to handle the employee relationship.
Government investigations and lawsuits are expensive. To minimize the risk, company managers should strengthen internal reporting systems and anti-retaliation policies as well as encourage positive relationships with employees so they feel comfortable reporting issues to their manager(s) rather than the government. Also, developing a response plan and undertaking immediate action can help to minimize negative consequences. Companies should be proactive and know how they should respond when the whistle blows.
