Blowing the Whistle | How can a whistleblower hotline be effective?

How can a whistleblower hotline be effective? Explain.

For a whistleblower hotline to be effective trust must exist between employees and the employer. This trust means that the information can be given anonymously and without fear of retaliation, even if the identity of the whistleblower is revealed during the investigation. The organization can make all the promises in the world, but until that first report is completely and thoroughly investigated, the hotline may never ring again.



Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e

Blowing the Whistle | What factors can make a whistleblower lose legitimacy in the eyes of viewers?

What factors can make a whistleblower lose legitimacy in the eyes of viewers?

If there is evidence that the employee is motivated by the opportunity for financial gain or media attention, or that the employee is carrying out an individual vendetta against the company, then the legitimacy of the employee's whistle-blowing must be questioned.

Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e

Blowing the Whistle | Case / Opinion | Meatpacking Company

Meatpacking Company - Stealing

You work for a meatpacking company.  

You have discovered credible evidence that your company’s delivery drivers have been stealing cuts of meat and replacing them with ice to ensure that the delivery meets the stated weight on the delivery invoice.  

The company has 12 drivers and, as far as you can tell, they are all in on this scheme.  

Your company has a well-advertised whistle-blower hotline.  

What do you do?   





Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e

Blowing the Whistle | Discuss both positive and the negative views of whistleblowers in the media

Discuss both positive and the negative views of whistleblowers in the media. 

How do you view whistleblowers?

One could argue that whistleblowers provide an invaluable service to their organizations and to the general public. The discovery of illegal activities before the situation is revealed to the media could potentially save organizations millions of dollars in fines and lost revenue from the inevitable damage to their corporate reputation. However, in contrast to the general perception that whistleblowers are brave men and women putting their careers and personal lives at in order to "do the right thing," some feel that whistleblowers are motivated by money or personal egos. 

Student responses will vary on the second part of the question. 



Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e

Blowing the Whistle | Differentiate between internal and external whistleblowers

Differentiate between internal and external whistleblowers.

Internal whistleblowers are employees who discover misconduct in the workplace and communicate this to their supervisor, who then follows established procedures to address the misconduct within the organization. 

External whistleblowers are employees who discover corporate misconduct and choose to bring it to the attention of external parties, such as law enforcement agencies or the media.


Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e