Week 11

Question 1

What is whistleblowing?

Answer 1

Reporting illegal, immoral, or unethical practices in an organization by someone with inside knowledge (Near & Miceli, 1985).

Question 2

What are the key features of whistleblowing?

Answer 2

Insider reveals confidential info
Activity is illegal or unethical
Disclosure aims to stop wrongdoing
Often involves public interest
Can be internal or external

Question 3

What is the Harm Theory of whistleblowing? (De George, 2006)

Answer 3

Whistleblowing is morally justified if:

The organization will cause serious harm
Employee raises concerns internally first
Internal methods fail
Whistleblower has solid evidence
Going public is likely to bring change

Question 4

What is the Complicity Theory? (Davis, 1996)

Answer 4

Whistleblowing is a duty if:

You’re part of the organization
Your work contributes to wrongdoing
You believe and have reason to believe it’s serious
Not speaking out makes you morally complicit

Question 5

What is the Good Reasons Theory? (Sissela Bok, 1980)

Answer 5

Dissent: Must serve the public interest
Breach of Loyalty: May conflict with duty to employer
Accusation: Must be accurate and fair with evidence

Question 6

What protections do whistleblowers have in the UK?

Answer 6

Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, whistleblowers are protected from:

Unfair dismissal
Detriment (e.g., bullying, reduced hours, blocked promotions)

Question 7

Why does whistleblowing need justification?

Answer 7

It may breach loyalty to the employer
Loyalty is often expected but may conflict with public good
Some argue the job is transactional, not moral (Duska, 2000)

Question 8

What are the limits to loyalty? (Kleinig, 2022)

Answer 8

Loyalty is not unlimited
If core values are violated, speaking out may be necessary
Employees can give voice (try to change things) or exit (leave)