CHAPTER 7 - WHISTLE BLOWER

What is a Whistle-blower?

• An employee who discovers corporate misconduct and chooses to bring it to the attention of others.

• An employee can choose to “let it slide

• An employee can choose to “turn a blind eye”.

• An employee whose actions are  motivated by money or by the personal egos of “loose cannons” and “troublemakers”.

What is the ethical dilemma of a Whistle-blower?

• Whistle-blowers provide an invaluable service to their organizations and the general public.

• The employee needs to think about whether it is right to report misconduct and how it will help the organization and the public. They also need to balance their duty to the public with their loyalty to their employer.

• Whistle-blowers are brave men and women putting their careers and personal lives at risk to do the right thing.

• Their actions motivated by money or by the personal egos of “loose cannons” and “troublemakers” who challenge the policies and practices of their employers.

When should an employee report the organization according to ethical whistle-blowing conditions?

• When the company is making a profit

• When the company's actions could seriously harm the public or break laws

• When the company is following all regulations

• When the company is expanding globally

What should an employee do if their immediate supervisor does not act according to ethical whistle-blowing conditions?

• Exhaust the internal procedures and chain of command to the board of directors

• Do nothing

• Resign from the job

• Confront the supervisor directly

What evidence must the employee have according to ethical whistle-blowing conditions?

• Personal opinions

• Hearsay

• Anecdotal evidence

• Documented evidence convincing to a reasonable, impartial observer