Legal Question in Employment Law in Pennsylvania
Refusing to falsify reports
I am responsible to provide our customers with accurate reports every month concerning their inventory. My manager and supervisor are asking me to, what I consider, falsifying the correct information to them. I was told that if I refuse that I will be terminated. It does state in our compnay handbook that it is prohibited not meeting customers requirements. Integrity is very important to me. If I do get terminated am I allowed to tell my customer the dirty things our company is doing?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Refusing to falsify reports
You asked about a potential requirement to make inaccurate statements in connection with your job.
You recognize that you may be in a precarious position. If I understand you correctly then you do not have to make a statement that you know to be inaccurate. Even if ordered to do so by your employer. You should bring this matter to the attention of your employer's compliance officer or general counsel.
If there is no appropriate action then you should continue on as you were and, if things follow, expect to be fired. You should not report your findings directly to your employer's customers. You may appropriately bring these issues to the attention of the customer's compliance officer or general counsel or the state's attorney general's office.
Be careful. It is often hard to do the right thing and when one does the right thing the penalty often feels unjust, particularly when one feels that they should be receiving accolades.
I can help with much of this process. Call if you'd like to talk about how to proceed.
Regards,
Roger