Canadians for Accountability - About Whistleblowing


			About Whistleblowing A Definition Who is a Whistleblower The Whistleblower’s Experience The Impact on Whistleblowers A Definition Whistleblowing was defined in 1972 by Ralph Nader as "an act of a man or a woman who, believing in the public interest overrides the interest of the organization he serves, publicly blows the whistle if the organization is involved in corrupt, illegal, fraudulent or harmful activity." The definition has undergone some debate since then, but whistleblowing is now generally accepted an act by a person or group to disclose to authorities or to the public acts of significant wrongdoing. The wrongdoing may relate to a violation of the law, unethical activities, health and safety violations or other matters which pose a risk or danger to public health, safety or interests. Who is a Whistleblower? A person who exposes wrongdoing outside of normal reporting mechanisms is a whistleblower. For example, an employee of a company who reports fraud to the police is a whistleblower. Similarly a bureaucrat who reports mismanagement to the press is also a whistleblower. On the other hand, a person who reports fraud to his or her boss is not a whistleblower. Thus, whistleblowing is rarely if ever required in an effective and responsive organization. Much has been said and written about the motives of whistleblowers. For example, it is typical for whistleblowers to be characterized by management as disgruntled individuals may have fabricated elements of their disclosure. Others view whistleblowers as moral paragons. While truth depends on the individual, it should be understood that whistleblowers are not perfect individuals, and that motive should have no bearing on whether a person is considered a whistleblower. A malicious whistleblower may be just as right as an impartial one. The only factor that should be considered is the truth and relevance of the information in the disclosure. The Whistleblower Experience The act of whistleblowing is one which requires courage, as repercussions are long-lasting. Unethical organizations and individuals that perceive themselves to be under threat by whistleblowers may isolate the whistleblower and attempt a series of reprisals. These can include: Workplace bullying Ostracizing Removal of work responsibilities or authority Loss of promotion opportunities Demotion Threats Suspension Firing Action may also be taken against a spouse or children. Efforts are usually made by those implicated in the whistleblowing to mitigate the damage. These actions can include Flawed and non-independant inquiries Attempts to characterize the whistleblower as a liar, unreasonable or unstable not in a position to know all the facts Destruction of evidence Creation of false or post-dated documents Collusion with other implicated individuals Intimidation of other employees to prevent further whistleblowing The Impact on Whistleblowers The effects of these retaliatory actions on whistleblowers themselves are varied as the individual whistleblowers. They may include: Deterioration in health Depression Loss of career progression Loss of income Marital stress, up to and including divorce Suicide The battle the whistleblower faces may take many years to resolve, so exhaustion is also common. While those persecuting whistleblowers may be able to push levers to set wheels in motion, whistleblowers themselves are usually isolated. This is exploited by those in authority to force unfair settlements or wear whistleblowers down until they cease to be a threat. TOP Created: September 11, 2008 \| Last updated: October 28, 2008

About Whistleblowing

A Definition
Who is a Whistleblower
The Whistleblower’s Experience
The Impact on Whistleblowers

A Definition

Whistleblowing was defined in 1972 by Ralph Nader as "an act of a man or a woman who, believing in the public interest overrides the interest of the organization he serves, publicly blows the whistle if the organization is involved in corrupt, illegal, fraudulent or harmful activity."

The definition has undergone some debate since then, but whistleblowing is now generally accepted an act by a person or group to disclose to authorities or to the public acts of significant wrongdoing. The wrongdoing may relate to a violation of the law, unethical activities, health and safety violations or other matters which pose a risk or danger to public health, safety or interests.

Who is a Whistleblower?

A person who exposes wrongdoing outside of normal reporting mechanisms is a whistleblower. For example, an employee of a company who reports fraud to the police is a whistleblower. Similarly a bureaucrat who reports mismanagement to the press is also a whistleblower.

On the other hand, a person who reports fraud to his or her boss is not a whistleblower. Thus, whistleblowing is rarely if ever required in an effective and responsive organization.

Much has been said and written about the motives of whistleblowers. For example, it is typical for whistleblowers to be characterized by management as disgruntled individuals may have fabricated elements of their disclosure. Others view whistleblowers as moral paragons. While truth depends on the individual, it should be understood that whistleblowers are not perfect individuals, and that motive should have no bearing on whether a person is considered a whistleblower. A malicious whistleblower may be just as right as an impartial one. The only factor that should be considered is the truth and relevance of the information in the disclosure.

The Whistleblower Experience

The act of whistleblowing is one which requires courage, as repercussions are long-lasting. Unethical organizations and individuals that perceive themselves to be under threat by whistleblowers may isolate the whistleblower and attempt a series of reprisals. These can include:

Workplace bullying
Ostracizing
Removal of work responsibilities or authority
Loss of promotion opportunities
Demotion
Threats
Suspension
Firing

Action may also be taken against a spouse or children.

Efforts are usually made by those implicated in the whistleblowing to mitigate the damage. These actions can include

Flawed and non-independant inquiries
Attempts to characterize the whistleblower as
- a liar, unreasonable or unstable
- not in a position to know all the facts
Destruction of evidence
Creation of false or post-dated documents
Collusion with other implicated individuals
Intimidation of other employees to prevent further whistleblowing

The Impact on Whistleblowers

The effects of these retaliatory actions on whistleblowers themselves are varied as the individual whistleblowers. They may include:

Deterioration in health
Depression
Loss of career progression
Loss of income
Marital stress, up to and including divorce
Suicide

The battle the whistleblower faces may take many years to resolve, so exhaustion is also common. While those persecuting whistleblowers may be able to push levers to set wheels in motion, whistleblowers themselves are usually isolated. This is exploited by those in authority to force unfair settlements or wear whistleblowers down until they cease to be a threat.

TOP

Created: September 11, 2008 | Last updated: October 28, 2008