Guidance for Whistleblowers

Blowing the whistle is a complex process. Learn more about why to avoid internal reporting channels, what the filing deadlines are, and more.

Whistleblowers Should Avoid Internal Reporting Channels

Many employees who suspect fraud or misconduct first think to report to a supervisor, a company hotline, or a corporate compliance department. Whistleblowers should remember that internal reporting channels exist to benefit the company, rather than the individual reporting misconduct.

Deadlines for Filing Whistleblower Claims

If whistleblowers miss the deadline for filing, they will lose their case. That’s why it’s critical to be familiar with the statutes of limitation for different types of claims.

What Non-Disclosure Agreements Mean for Whistleblowers

NDAs are common across numerous industries. However, such agreements can be used to silence whistleblowers in order to keep illegal activity under wraps. Restrictive non-disclosure agreements are blatant attempts to censor employees and limit the exposure of company misconduct. Many are also illegal.

Legal Avenues for Whistleblowers Outside the U.S.

In recent years, thousands of whistleblowers around the world have actively used U.S. laws to report instances of fraud, waste, and abuse. Many of the strongest U.S. federal whistleblower laws allow for non-U.S. citizens to report fraud confidentially.

Rewards for Non-U.S. Whistleblowers

Many U.S. whistleblower reward laws and provisions allow for whistleblowers around the globe to receive rewards for providing information that leads to successful fraud prosecutions.

Political Asylum For Whistleblowers

U.S. law has expansive whistleblower protections and rewards, including rights for whistleblowers who are outside the U.S. and who require political asylum protections because of coming forward with information about corruption, fraud, and other crimes.

Best Practices When Reporting Fraud Electronically

Safeguard yourself: report confidentially and anonymously. Learn more about how to safely report fraud through electronic means.

FAQs

How can you protect yourself from retaliation when reporting corporate corruption? What are your rights when facing retaliation? Find answers to these and more frequently asked questions, organized by topic.

Latest Book Release!

Kohn’s thirty-seven rules for whistleblowers highlight the “traps” facing whistleblowers today and address how to file anonymous cases and qualify for multi-million-dollar rewards.

Ways to Obtain the Book & Save:

■ Purchase the book at the list price
■ Subscribe to Whistleblower Network News and Save 35%
■ Donate $50 or more to NWC and get the book free