Corporate and government whistle-blowers are sometimes driven by guilt, or sometimes they are motivated to do what they feel is right in exposing wrongdoing by their organizarion. Whistle-blowing can have its consequences, however.

Identification

Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics defines whistle-blowing as the act of bringing to public attention the wrong-doings within a public or private organization.

Types

The Government Accountability Project, an independent advocacy organization, lists some reasons for whistle-blowing as fraud, abuse of executive power, mismanagement of corporate funds, abusive conduct toward employees and wasting taxpayer money in the case of government agencies or publicly funded companies.

Significance

Any employee of an organization can be a whistle-blower, but it is in that employee's best interest to be able to prove her accusations before going public. According to the State of California, the burden of proof lies with the whistle-blowing employee.

Considerations

Although some laws protect whistle-blowers, "Medical Economics" magazine suggests that whistle-blowing can cost you status within your industry. Even if you are acting on what you believe to be the best interest of the public, you could lose your job.

Proactive Approach

If companies encourage whistle-blowers to work out their issues with the company first, that gives the company a chance to correct the problems before it becomes headlines in the news media.

Source:

Santa Clara University: Whistle Blowing in the Public Sector

Government Accountability Project: What is a Whistleblower?

California State Personnel Board: Whistleblowing Frequently Asked Questions

Resource:

"Medical Economics" Magazine: Is Whistle Blowing Worth it?