Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Whistle Blowing: Both Sides
Whistle blowing is the concept of reporting incidents of wrongdoing, illegality, discrimination, immorality, and other adverse actions to a higher authority, which may or may not result in punishment or consequences for the offending party, but an important concept of whistle blowing is publicity or making the issue public ("Ethical Dissent," n.d.). Whistle blowing is a controversial practice, and those who do blow the whistle from time to time experience negative consequences on a personal or political level. Some have even pursued justice through the court systems because of this issue ("Blowing the Whistle," 2009).
Those who defend and condemn whistle blowing each have solid cases. Those in favor of the practice suggest that blowing the whistle is a way to keep companies and organizations honest, especially when it comes to enforcing safety regulations and civil liberties requirements. Without whistle blowing, those who justify the practice contend, the violations -- whether they endanger the general public or the moral character of the organization -- would continue unabated.
On the other hand, those who condemn whistle blowing suggest that there are other ways of correcting ethical abuses or wrongdoings. A suggestion within the company, or a well-spoken word can often end the problem before going public with it is necessary ("Ethical Dissent," n.d.). The thought behind this is that whistle blowing, or drawing public attention to an issue, actually makes a problem worse, when privately addressing could make it better. In addition, those who condemn the practice may also mention the negative professional consequences, such as firing, that often occur along with whistle blowing, in addition to personal retaliation.
Thus, the issue of whistle blowing is something that all must face in the professional world, whether they are in the public or private sector. In the end, whistle blowing is a personal decision on the part of an employee, and it can be admirable when done to right something that is inherently wrong.
References
"Blowing the Whistle." (2009, May). Retrieved July 14, 2009, from http://whistleblowing.org/
"Ethical Dissent." (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2009, from http://www.computingcases.org/case_materials/hughes/support_docs/whistleblowing/ethical_dissent.html
There is an increasing recognition of this not only among investigators and regulators, but also among businesses and employees alike. Clearly, the general attitude of employers and employees towards whistle blowing is changing with time. Generally, this is the result of consequences generated by corporate wrongdoing, and also by the increase of importance attached to ethical business practices. Corporate responsibility in terms of both society and the environment has seen
However the problem occurs when the person purchasing at the shampoo at supermarket becomes a reseller and offers it with a small discount to the elite buyer. This kind of price discrimination is common but it can become illegal if it violates the pricing laws of the country in which discrimination occurred (Ferrell et al. p. 288). It is also illegal if segmentation is not possible in the market
Whistle-Blowing The question of the responsibility and/or ethical duty of an employee to blow the whistle on an employer have been the subject of much discussion. Some would argue that there is an ethical duty to respond and 'blow the whistle' when an employee becomes aware of apparent unlawful behavior on the part of his or her employer. One definition of whistle blowing as posited by Dandekar, 1991 is the motivation
Whistle-Blower Case Study Based on Oklahoma Law It may appear common-sense that Janet and Darla are whistle-blowers; they saw something wrong at their workplace (another employee potentially stealing drugs and committing fraud), and notified their employer. However, while they may have effectively blown the whistle on potential fraud, they are also working in a state with "at will" employment laws, which states employers can fire employees for any reason (Bennett-Alexander &
Alma Joseph's case study, "The Dilemma Public Service Department" Public Performance & Management Review, Vol. 24, No. 3, March 2001, pp. 285-287-Attached pdf This case study analysis paper approximately 3 full pages (double-spaced, 1" margins, 12 pt font), address issues: In terms administrative responsibilities, mind case: honesty, malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance, accountability, competence, . Honesty is certainly one of the primary concepts that come to mind when considering Alex and
WorldCom: The Ethics of Whistle-Blowing In recent years, it has not been easy for employees to completely trust the corporations for which they work. Accounting scandals have made the average employee question business practices unlike before. The large corporate American framework built in culture; vision, core values, accountability and self-worth seem to have gone out the window with a certain degree of worry. Is it risky to work for a big