Maybe you just started your job, or perhaps you transferred to a different department. While you trained with the person who will be your supervisor or who you will replace, they say some things that worry you.
For example, they may talk about writing down that they did repairs or performed an inspection on sections of rail that they did not even visit that day. They may claim that everyone does the same thing to keep productivity high and that there is no real risk.
However, you know that this practice is illegal because it results in payment claims to the federal government. You have protection as a whistleblower if you refuse to break the law and raise your concerns to the relevant authorities.
Whistleblowers often have an uphill battle
People who have broken the law at work for years may feel personally offended when you refuse to do what they tell you. They may worry about their job security or even feel like your behavior is pretentious and selfish because it could hurt the company or other workers.
Someone who becomes a whistleblower by refusing to break the law may quickly find themselves the odd man out at work. In some cases, they might get transferred, demoted or fired as a direct result of refusing to break the law.
Keeping records of what happened on your job, including any requests to do something illegal and how you responded, could protect you if your employer illegally retaliates against you. Having records of what happened can help you build a case to hold your employer accountable or even make a report to federal regulatory agencies.
Learning more about the rules that protect railroad whistleblowers can help you feel confident about doing the right thing.
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