Blog #8 Key Post

 Concept of a Whistleblowers

    A whistleblower refers to an employee who discloses wrongdoing by their private or public employer of the sort that injures a large number of people or violates public law. Ideally, the whistleblowing concept has become a priority agenda across the corporate governance realm prompting the promotion of legislation intended to protect those who disclose illegal, unethical, unsafe, and fraudulent conduct within an organization. There is an increased need for organizations to be transparent and accountable in their operation, meaning that a more proactive approach to handling the disclosure of illegal and non-ethical behavior is required. For whistleblowers, the implications of their actions could be both positive and negative.

    The main advantage of a whistleblower is that he/she brings to light ongoing illegal actions, ensuring that the wrongdoings seize to occur, and the responsible parties are held accountable. He/she also allows organizations to develop more stringent policies to ensure that similar behavior does not continue happening. Whistleblowing could force organizations to conduct policy changes that are beneficial to the workers as well as the entire society. A good example is the case of Jeffrey Wigand 1996 who insinuated that smoking tobacco leads to addiction. These actions resulted in a change in the company's policies which benefited the employees and increased public awareness of the effects of smoking which benefited society.

    One of the main drawbacks of becoming a whistleblower is that it may negatively impact their career due to decreased chances of getting a promotion or finding another job. Some laws exist to protect whistleblowers, for instance, OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program from retaliation from their employers, but other organizations may feel uncomfortable hiring someone who discloses company information to the public. 

    In some cases, the relation by the employer could extend to the whistleblower's family members, causing them harm. The relationship with co-workers could also be hugely affected as they may be afraid of trusting you with confidential information. The whistleblower may also experience stress and possibly lead to mental illnesses if the actions of the whistleblower affect a larger group than intended. Mistreatment from co-workers and the public could also induce stress and promote psychological problems. 

    It is essential that one analyzes the impact of their actions on those that will be linked to whistleblowing. Before blowing the whistle on ongoing illegality, the leaker should assess whether the matter concerns private or public matters. Information that surrounds an individual's personal issues, such as their sexual orientation, financial status, or personal messages, may require consideration of the proprietor's privacy rights since leaking the information to the public may cause them more harm with no positive impact on the society.

    However, issues concerning the public, such as the actions of an individual holding a position in a public institution whose illegal actions affect the public, may not qualify for a privacy claim. The whistleblower consequently ought to evaluate the good and potential harm that their actions could have. Protection of lives, as well as public resources, necessitates whistleblowing.

    Whistleblowing is a sensitive aspect and an emerging issue in corporate governance. It has both positive and negative repercussions, and a whistleblower ought to assess the potential impact of the information they wish to release. In the instances where whistleblowing may negatively impact a particular group in society or promote an existing negative stereotype, it may be necessary to consider alternatives for solving the problem other than using whistleblowing.