What is a whistleblower? The figure of the reporter is usually considered a disloyal person who does not comply with a code of complicity belonging to a group of people who generally have unethical acts with little value.
In most cases, the whistleblower reveals certain information, points out illicit conduct or irregularities affecting organizations, companies or institutions.
Whistleblower: definition
A reporter is considered a person who for some reason points out certain irregularities or illegal acts, either in some social sector or in an organization.
In this sense, the whistleblower will be in a constant dilemma; in one way, he/she will experience social pressure to maintain secrecy or complicity in an illegal act in which he/she is directly or indirectly involved.
On the other hand, the whistleblower also experiences fear because of the risk involved in the legality of the act and because of his moral or ethical rules or the possible consequences he seeks to disassociate himself from the compromising situation and reveal confidential or sensitive information.
Who can be a whistleblower?
A whistleblower can be any direct or indirect witness of an unethical act, whether irregularities or illegal acts, therefore any person, in full use of his or her mental faculties and following an ethical guideline can become a whistleblower.
The figure of the whistleblower applies in various social groups, within organizations can be employees, contractors, suppliers, customers or another members of the business community.
Meanwhile, within the social sphere, the whistleblower is also known as a “snitch” and can have a negative connotation, implying that the person is revealing information for personal or selfish reasons.
What is the importance of the whistleblower in an organization?
Whistleblowers play a key role in driving transparency and accountability in organizations, which in turn impacts organizational culture.
By speaking out and revealing suspicious or improper activities, whistleblowers help prevent and detect fraud, corruption, abuse of power, discrimination, harassment, legal violations and other harmful practices.
There are different motivations that may lead a person to become a whistleblower. Some may do so out of a sense of responsibility and commitment to ethical values, others because they have witnessed wrongdoing first-hand, and there may also be cases where whistleblowers act in their own self-interest or out of fear of personal retaliation.
To improve an enabling environment for whistleblowing, many organizations establish confidential and anonymous whistleblowing channels. This allows whistleblowers to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation. In addition, some jurisdictions have whistleblower protection laws that protect the reporters from negative consequences for their complaints.
It is OK to be a whistleblower?
For most organizations who is searching to standardize human efforts and establish a healthy work environment, legal systems and compliance programs help promote and protect the reporting of unethical or illegal activities with the goal of preventing risks.
These systems often include confidential reporting channels and legal protections for whistleblowers to encourage transparency and accountability.
However, it is also important to keep in mind that there are risks and considerations to take when you become a whistleblower. Depending on the jurisdiction and applicable laws, whistleblowers may face retaliation, both professional and personal, from the organization or individuals involved in the reported conduct. In addition, a complaint may trigger internal or external investigations that could affect the reputation of the company and its employees.
Ultimately, making the decision to be a whistleblower is a personal choice that depends on several factors, such as the individual’s ethical and moral principles, his or her perception of risks and benefits, and the seriousness of the reported conduct.
It is recommended that anyone considering becoming a whistleblower, search specific legal advice before taking action, as laws and regulations may vary by jurisdiction and particular situation.
What the whistleblowers do?
In some cases, whistleblowers can have financial rewards or compensation for their complaints, especially when the complaint leads to successful legal action and a significant amount of money is recovered for the company or the State. These rewards are different and in some cases are based on a percentage of the amount recovered.
The rewards for whistleblowers may depend on factors such as the seriousness of the reported conduct, the impact on the company, the cooperation of the whistleblower with the investigations, the risks faced by the whistleblower, and the laws and policies applicable in each jurisdiction.
It is important to keep in mind that these aspects may vary significantly depending on location and local laws. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a lawyer specializing in the specific country or jurisdiction for accurate and up-to-date information on whistleblower rewards in cases of unethical or unlawful conduct.
Important Components of a Whistleblower Protection System
As a business ethics and compliance specialist, I can tell you that an effective whistleblower protection system, also known as Ethic hotline, is critical to improve an ethical business environment and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Here are the most important components of a whistleblower protection system:
Clear policies and procedures:
It is essential to establish well-defined policies and procedures for receiving, handling and responding to whistleblowers in a confidential and secure manner. These policies should include information on how to make a report, what type of conduct can be reported, and assurances of whistleblower protection.
Confidentiality:
The whistleblower´s protection system should guarantee absolute confidentiality of the whistleblower’s identity, wherever possible and permitted by law. This implies establishing secure and reliable channels for whistleblowers to report without fear of retaliation.
Protection against retaliation:
A critical element is to guarantee that whistleblowers are protected against any form of retaliation or negative consequence as a result of their reporting. This involves implementing measures to prevent, detect and respond to potential retaliation, as well as establishing clear sanctions for those who carry it out.
Impartial and efficient investigation:
Once we received a complaint, an impartial and efficient investigation process is necessary to assess and address the allegations. This may involve the creation of an ethics committee or a specialized unit that is responsible for handling complaints and conducting the corresponding investigations.
Communication and training:
It is essential to establish a communication and training program to raise employee awareness of the importance of ethics reporting and the mechanisms available to make such reports. This includes providing clear information on policies and procedures, as well as promoting a culture of ethics and integrity throughout the organization.
Monitoring and continuous improvement:
A whistleblower´s protection system should be continuously evaluated and improved. This involves following up on the complaints filed, analyzing the lessons learned from each case and making adjustments to procedures as necessary.
An effective whistleblower´s protection system must have clear policies, confidentiality, protection against retaliation, impartial investigations, communication and training, and a focus on continuous improvement. Improving these components, organizations can promote an ethical culture and provide whistleblowers with the confidence to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
You read What is a whistleblower?, we recommend you: What is a code of ethics?
