Fear of Reprisals

A subject is motivated by fear of actual or anticipated professional, disciplinary, legal, or reputational consequences against themselves or another person. These consequences may include dismissal, demotion, disciplinary proceedings, financial penalties, legal action, or damage to professional standing.

The subject may engage in an infringement to conceal previous misconduct, prevent the discovery of wrongdoing, avoid accountability, or protect another person from adverse consequences. Such actions may include destroying or altering evidence, withholding information, or otherwise interfering with organizational processes.

Unlike coercion, fear of reprisals does not necessarily involve an explicit threat or direction from another party. The subject may act independently in response to perceived or anticipated consequences, whether or not those consequences are imminent or justified.