Ethical Whistle-blowing
What is Whistle-blowing?
“Whistle-blowing is the act of drawing public attention, or the attention of an authority figure, to perceived wrongdoing, misconduct, unethical activity within the public, private or third-sector organizations.”
(according to www.hrzone.com)
The person who is doing this act can be an employee, a customer, a supplier, or a closely related person with the organization. When this person believes in any illegal work or wrongdoing, he blows the whistle and makes a disclosure. This is not in line with the company’s Code of Conduct. This can happen publicly or within the organization.
WHISTLE-BLOWER?
“Whistle-blowers are people who expose unethical or illegal wrongdoing within companies by reporting it internally to superiors or externally to the media, government authorities, or specified attorneys. They can be either or past employees (insiders), or outside individuals who are familiar with the unlawful conduct, and are not required to be U. S. citizens.”
This is the definition that is mention on the Whistle-Blowers International website. (https://www.whistleblowersinternational.com/what-is-whistleblowing/)
In recent history, many whistle-blowers came forward against various kinds of frauds and scams. Some of the famous whistle-blowers are Karen Silkwood, John Michael Gravitt, Jeffrey Wigand, Edward Snowden, Cheryl Eckard and so more.
What are the elements of ethical Whistle-blowing?
When considering this concept we can see four main elements. They are,
The Whistle-blower
The whistle-blowing act or complaint
The party to whom the complaint is made
The organization against which the complaint is lodged
What are the main stages of a whistle-blowing incident?
1. Is there a potential whistle-blowing scenario?
2. Seriousness test
3. Reality check
4. Becoming aware of the big picture
5. Forcing management recognition of the problem
6. Taking the problem to upper management
7. Going outside the organization
8. Living with the results
Whistle-blowing is not an easy concept. Before blow the whistle you have to more think about that. There can be any illegal or wrongdoing activity around your working environment. Before revealing it to others you have to think about the seriousness of that activity and check whether it happens. Gather more information about the incident. If you have confident about the wrongdoing you should force management recognition about the problem. Then the next step is to take the problem into upper management. After you have to ready to leave the organization, find a new job, or live with results.
What are the different types of Whistle-blower Frauds?
There are different types of whistle-blower frauds that happen in the world. Some of the most common types are below.
Pharmaceutical Fraud
Healthcare Fraud
Financial and Security Fraud
Tax Fraud
Defense Contractor Fraud
Education Fraud
Natural Resource Fraud
Procurement Fraud
What are the laws that protect whistle-blowers?
New laws and regulations are established for the protection of whistle-blowers.
Whistle Blower Protection Act of 1989
False Claims Act 1863
Freedom of Information Act 1966
Nowadays, whistle-blowing becomes prominent. Organizations have to give the chance to employees to raise their voices. Also, most governments put this into consideration and made state laws. This helps to make more protection for whistle-blowers. The most important thing behind this is if someone is going to do whistle-blowing he or she has to be more emotionally stabled. Because in the end, you have to live with results. Therefore, before doing this you have to think more. If there isn’t any other alternative action that you can take then you have to take the decision.
Thank You!
Resources:
http://ranger.uta.edu/~carroll/cse4317/ch7_whistle_blowing/sld004.htm
