External vs. Internal Whistleblowers
What It Means for Your Case
If You Report Internally or Externally
Have you considered blowing the whistle about conditions or practices at your place of employment?
If so, it is important that you know the laws involved and what may happen when you decide to come forward.
Whether you are an external or internal whistleblower may play a major role in what happens next. You should understand what these terms mean so that you can decide how to handle your claims.
In this short guide, you’ll learn what whistleblowing is, and how to tell the difference between internal and external whistleblowing.
You’ll learn how to decide between these two options, and how a lawyer can help you if you face retaliation for your choice.
What happens when you become a whistleblower?
State and Federal law provide for a number of protections for whistleblowers who come forward to report fraud, misconduct, and abuse. Your complaint will be investigated, internally or by an external organization like the Dept. of Justice. Your whistleblower attorney will help you navigate this complex process.
What is Considered Whistleblowing?
Have Questions?
Let's See If You Have a Case...
Whistleblowing refers to the act of reporting waste, fraud, corruption, or other misconduct and abuses.
You can report wrongdoings that occur at either public or private organizations, but not all abuses are against the law.
When the violations you’re reporting are against the law (for example; when they include fraud against government programs) the False Claims Act (FCA) may apply.
The FCA does not apply to all types of whistleblowing. Knowing the difference between external and internal whistleblowing and the protections afforded to whistleblowers who make a protected disclosure is vital to achieving a meaningful and successful resolution.
What role does the FCA play in whistleblowing cases?
The FCA imposes significant penalties against persons or companies who defraud government programs. Health care and military contracting programs are particularly susceptible to fraud, so this law encourages whistleblowers to report this fraud by offering them a reward.
The law includes a qui tam provision that allows whistleblowers to file actions on behalf of the government. If the action is successful, whistleblowers may be rewarded with a percentage of all funds that are recovered. In the past, whistleblowers have earned millions of dollars after being a part of a successful FCA case.
What is the Difference Between External and Internal Whistleblowing
Before you blow the whistle about any practice in your workplace, you should decide whether you are going to be an external whistleblower or an internal one. To make this decision more effectively, you should understand them both.
The following will help you understand the difference between these types of whistleblowers, and help you understand how to make a protected disclosure in each case. The path you and your attorney choose will ensure you protect yourself and help end the misconduct more effectively.