Refusal to Perform an Illegal Act

In any job, your employer will ask you to do certain things. Some of these you may enjoy, while others may be tedious, monotonous, or just something that you dislike doing. In any of these cases, however, you perform the task because it is part of your job description. However, some employees will ask you to do things that cross not only out of the boundaries of your job description, but the law as well.

When your employer asks you to perform an illegal act, you are not obligated, in any way, to do so. In fact, if you are caught, you will be prosecuted just as you would if you committed the act on your own. You may even face additional charges for conspiracy. Because of this, the first thing that you should do when asked to perform an illegal act is report it.

Reporting can be difficult sometimes. Knowing who you can report something like this to is very important. If you do not know who within your office will be able to take your report, an external entity may be your best option. Contacting a lawyer will allow you to protect yourself as well as learn the best course of action. You need to be careful as far as who you trust with your report.

When employers ask you to perform illegal acts, they are asking you to become a criminal. In this situation, your employer is already breaking the law. If your job is dependent on you performing the act, your employer is breaking another law.

An Austin Employment Lawyer Can Help

If you have been asked to perform illegal acts by your employer, contact the Austin employment lawyers of Melton & Kumler, LLP at 512-330-0017.