A scenario that plays out more than we'd like to admit:

Imagine having a job where you and your family are established in your community, schools, etc. Your boss asks or directs that you take some action that is illegal, unethical or immoral. You choose to do the "right thing" and refuse. You are fired. Some 'official' excuse is given. You might receive severance pay, if you leave quietly. Your salary, benefits and security end that day. You have little or no recourse. Your employer is likely to be legally well-represented. Fellow employees are reluctant to support you as a witness because they fear retribution and losing their own job. What is right or wrong no longer matters. You cannot expect to find an attorney who will handle a case against your employer on a contingency basis, and even if you had a willing attorney, you could not reasonably expect any relief for what would probably turn into years. You try your community leaders. Most prefer not to become involved, especially if your former employer is a political contributor or well-known in selected community circles. You find little support in the media and you are on your own. Finding the next job is difficult or impossible and the economic damage you suffer is swift and often catastrophic.

That is why I wrote Railroaded in Cooperstown. I was not the only person employed by that corporation that was faced with this type of difficult decision, and I have to believe that nationally, it is a common problem as well. Public awareness to expose what really happened was (and is) my only weapon.

Changes are needed. No one should have to be a victim for simply trying to do the right thing. Employers who demand otherwise should be held accountable in criminal and civil courts and procedures put in place that result in timely resolution to this type of case.