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Whistle Blowing

Action+Reason
Report a friend who was cheating on a quiz Report to top management about a teacher who gave marks as a special favor Report a friend who didnt put his due share in the group project

What is Whistle Blowing?

An attempt by a member or former member of an organization to disclose wrongdoing in or by the organization. Can be internal or external

Internal- If wrongdoing is only reported to those higher in the organization External-When wrongdoing is reported to external individuals or bodies such as government agencies, newspapers, or public interest groups

Barriers to whistle Blowing

The ambivalent attitude toward whistleblowers ensures that, even with legal protection, they may face retaliation in subtle ways: being shunned by co-workers, being closely supervised, feeling alienated etc

Barriers to Internal Whistle Blowing

A lack of trust in the internal system

Unwillingness of employees to be "snitches"

Belief that management is not held to the same standard

Fear of retaliation

Fear of alienation from peers

Steps for Creating a Whistle blowing Culture

Create a Policy A policy about reporting illegal or unethical practices should include

Formal mechanisms for reporting violations, such as hotlines and mailboxes Clear communications about the process of voicing concerns, such as a specific chain of command, or the identification of a specific person in the organization Clear communications about bans on retaliation

In addition, a clear connection should exist between an organization's code of ethics and performance measures. For example, in the performance review process, employees can be held accountable not only for meeting their goals and objectives but also for doing so in accordance with the stated values or business standards of the company.

Get Endorsement From Top Management


Top management, starting with the CEO, should demonstrate a strong commitment to encouraging whistle blowing. This message must be communicated by line managers at all levels

Publicize the Organization's Commitment


To create a culture of openness and honesty, it is important that employees hear about the policy regularly. Top management should make every effort to talk about the commitment to ethical behavior in memos, newsletters, and speeches to company personnel. Publicly acknowledging and rewarding employees who pinpoint ethical issues

Investigate and Follow Up


Managers should be required to investigate all allegations promptly and thoroughly, report the origins and the results of the investigation to a higher authority

Assess the Organization's Internal Whistle blowing System


Find out employees' opinions about the organization's culture vis--vis its commitment to ethics and values. For example, Sears conducts an annual employee survey related to ethics. Some questions are: Do you believe unethical issues are tolerated here? Do you know how to report an ethical issue?

External Whistle Blowing

Is whistle blowing always wrong because employees have a contractual duty to be loyal to their employer and to keep all aspects of business confidential?

Partially true but conclusion is false


Agreements and contracts are void if they require a person to do something immoral If an employee has a moral obligation to prevent other people from being harmed and the only way to prevent the harm is by blowing the whistle on ones employer, an employment agreement cannot require the employee to remain silent

External whistle blowing is morally justified if:

There is clear, substantiated evidence that the organization is engaged in some activity that is seriously wronging or will wrong other parties Serious attempts to prevent the wrong through internal whistle blowing have been tried and failed It is reasonably certain that external whistle blowing will prevent the wrong The wrong is serious enough to justify the injuries that external whistle blowing will inflict on oneself, family and other parties

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