The Need for Whistleblowing in Organizations

This report discusses the need for whistleblowing in organizations and how it helps in exposing unethical behavior. It covers the types of whistleblowing, examples, and the benefits of having a whistleblowing policy. The report also highlights the protection provided to whistleblowers by the government and the importance of creating a corporate culture that promotes whistleblowing.

Whistleblowing

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Research Question.......................................................................................................................1
Explicitly describe what is the need of whistleblowing in organisations?..................................1
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Social responsibilities can be described as those activities which are performed by
organisational managers besides maximization of shareholder value and operating in a better
position (Culiberg and Mihelič, 2017). It is imperative for business houses to maximize their
benefits in order to promote the interests of a community in an effective manner. Whistleblowing
can be understood as an activity whereby attention of government authorities is informed in
regards with wrong doings of an organisation. Whistleblowing practices are considered as
important for organisations as it helps in exposing unethical behaviour of organisation regarding
any third party or employees. This project report demonstrates a knowledge of discussion of a
topic of whistleblowing which is discussed in class seminars in an effective manner.
MAIN BODY
Research Question
Explicitly describe what is the need of whistleblowing in organisations?
Workplace whistleblowing essentially occurs when an employee report about the
wrongdoings in an establishment such as financial misconduct, discrimination and many more
(Jeon, 2017). Internal whistle blowing occurs when an individual report within an organisation.
Even organisations adopt whistleblowing channels so that stakeholders as well as other
employees can speak up or report to officials in case of any wrongdoing in an organisation.
External whistleblowing occurs when an individual report the malpractices of an organisation
through media channels. People often choose this type in case they have little faith in
investigation procedures of their organisations.
This has been seen as growing in a tremendous manner with the increase of high-profile
scandals as well as scams in a significant manner. Corrupt individuals as well as businesses often
take advantages of the limited oversight capabilities such as steal, over bill and cheat the officials
for maximizing their profit margins. These fraudulent practices put an immense pressure
regarding taxes on citizens. Due to increase in fraud as well as corruption, numerous nations
have relied on private citizens for reporting the malpractices at their workplace. Basic principle
of those practices was to provide reward to individuals which is known as whistleblower law in
modern times (Kenny, 2019). This word whistleblowing came into existence in 19th century in
England. It was used by referees of sporting contests, in later years, it used as a metaphor and
1

defined as calling public for attention regarding any wrongdoings of an organisation. In modern
times, whistleblowers receive protection from retaliation as well as monetary rewards for
exposing any malpractice or wrongdoings in an establishment.
UK government has granted protection for those people who raise concerns regarding
potential wrongdoings at workplace by implementing Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This
protection is provided to employees, agency workers as well as members of limited liability
partnerships. It provides protection against any unfair dismissal of employees in respect to their
whistleblowing act in an strategic manner. It is mandatory for whistleblower to make a
disclosure of information which is made in public interest or likely to commit any criminal
offence, deliberate concealment of information, miscarriage of justice and many more (Olesen,
2018). Most common wrongdoing are the practices in context to failure to make compliance with
legislations.
Example of whistleblowing is criminal offence such as fraud with public done by an
organisation and this wrongdoing is revealed by their employees in front of public.
A real example of whistleblowing is case of Facebook leak whereby whistleblower,
Frances Haugen has disclosed thousands of intrinsic documents in context to user research.
Haugen told that top management of Facebook are prioritizing profitability and disregarding
their negative impact over the wider world (Waterson and Milmo, 2021). Haugen claimed that
Facebook has researched that their platform and Instagram are more dangerous than applications
like Tik Tok. Haugen has claimed that services which are delivered by Facebook led people to
move away from their real communities as well as isolate them in their own world. Internal
documents consisting of research undertaken by analysts of Facebook published in The Wall
Street Journal.
Another example of whistleblowing is reporting wrongful doings at workplace. Andrew
works in retail company and noticed that his seniors were not recording the stock and took them
for making personal profits. Andrew has sense something wrong but is reluctant to say anything
due to the fear of losing of job. Andrew contacted the concerned authorities by keeping his name
confidential. This made them to arrest the wrongdoers which improvises the workplace
atmosphere in a significant manner. In this case, Andrew is considered as whistleblower who
introduced concerned authorities about the fraudulent practices of an organisation.
2

Another example of whistleblowing is of Joanne who is working in a large restaurant
chain and was trained to prepare food with proper hygiene methods. Joanne observed that
cooking staff is not bifurcating the utensils for vegetrain and non-vegetrain which is considered
as unethical for public as well as can hurt people's sentiments. Joanne reported this wrongdoing
to their line manager for taking specified actions. Due to this incident, staff members are given
proper training and ask them to amend their ways in an effective manner.
Whistleblowing is considered as beneficial for organisations as it aid them in smooth
functioning by making compliance with ethical obligations for supporting as well as protecting
employees working for them (Olesen, 2019). Misconduct practices which indulges from a long
time is expensive to resolve for organisational managers. A strong culture of whistleblowing help
organisations in recognising potential threats such as cybersecurity risk and many more.
Whistleblowing policy help establishments in gaining detailed insights regarding significant
issues. Intrinsic reports provide vital evidence to management for creating a precise picture as
well as develop appropriate responses in an effective manner. It is important for organisational
managers to develop a corporate culture which promote whistleblowing in an effective manner.
This can be done by providing protection to whistleblowers as well demonstrating that an
establishment is ready to take actions at the time of submission of evidence of wrongful
activities.
It is considered as beneficial for organisations as it help in creating an open culture which
aid in developing better working relationships and results in higher productivity of employees.
I have been taught that without whistleblowers it become difficult to assess illegal or unethical
practices performing in an organisation. Information which was passed by whistleblowers can
raise awareness about varied issues as well as concerns within an establishment irrespective of
their severity. This practice is considered as essential for managing differentiated breaches in a
quick as well as constructive manner (Smaili and Arroyo, 2019). Whistleblowing practices are
also considered as effective as it helps in avoiding reputational damage to company.
CONCLUSION
From the above presented information, it has been assessed that whistleblowing is an act
which is done by whistleblower by revealing any confidential fraudulent practice of an
organisation. In modern times, companies are also focusing on whistleblowing activities and
implement this policy at their workplace. As per the government policy regarding
3

whistleblowing, employees are also provided with protection in case of revealing any
wrongdoing of an organisation. It is considered as beneficial for organisations as it help them to
make compliance with ethical obligations and build their reputation in the eyes of public. It is
imperative for organisations to encourage people to speak up as well as expose wrongdoings
which is considered as a major force in fighting with fraud, unethical practices and corruption in
an effective manner.
4

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Culiberg, B. and Mihelič, K. K., 2017. The evolution of whistleblowing studies: A critical
review and research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics.146(4). pp.787-803.
Jeon, S. H., 2017. Where to report wrongdoings? Exploring the determinants of internal versus
external whistleblowing. International Review of Public Administration. 22(2). pp.153-
171.
Kenny, K., 2019. Whistleblowing: Toward a new theory. Harvard University Press.
Olesen, T., 2018. The democratic drama of whistleblowing. European Journal of Social
Theory. 21(4). pp.508-525.
Olesen, T., 2019. The politics of whistleblowing in digitalized societies. Politics & Society.
47(2). pp.277-297.
Smaili, N. and Arroyo, P., 2019. Categorization of whistleblowers using the whistleblowing
triangle. Journal of Business Ethics. 157(1). pp.95-117.
Online:
Waterson. J. and Milmo. D., 2021. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen calls for urgent
external regulation. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/25/facebook-whistleblower-
frances-haugen-calls-for-urgent-external-regulation#:~:text=Mark%20Zuckerberg
%20%E2%80%9Chas%20unilateral%20control,harm%20being%20done%20to
%20society.>
5