What is whistleblowing? Importance and benefits of whistle blowing policy in Business
What is Whistleblowing and how to define Whistleblower?
The wrongdoing can be in the form of any misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation of data, any kind of discrimination etc. The whistle-blowing is done to protect an institution’s or a company's reputation. The Companies now motivate their employees to blow the whistle in case of any illegal activity or wrongdoing which may risk the prestige of the company or put the organization in trouble. Whistleblowing sometime becomes a problem issue as well for the employee therefore most of them avoids coming in front or get noticed.
Why employee hesitate to blowing a whistle
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There are certain reasons because of them, employee hesitate to blow the whistle, the reasons are
• Life threat
• Loss of job or Transfer
• Retaliation
• No increment given
• Fear of Losing Friendly relations
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Difference between a complaint and Whistle blowing:
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Complaint |
Whistle blowing |
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A complaint is related to an employee on individual basis for instance rude behavior by the boss. |
Whistle blowing is a process of raising a concern against any wrong doings or illegal activity, which may affect the organization badly.
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A complaint is generally made by an individual who feels that they have been wronged in some way. This can cover a multitude of issues; poor service, faulty product, attitude of a staff member, low standards of quality, etc. |
Whistleblowing however can only refer to the act of escalating a genuine concern about the wellbeing and safety of at least one individual. |
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A complaint is often made by someone who has a vested interest in the issue at hand – often it is themselves who has been treated incorrectly or who has received a sub-standard level of service. |
when someone blows the whistle they are raising a concern about danger or illegality that affects others |
Need of Whistle blowing policy in the workplace:
Types of whistleblowing
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Internal Whistleblowing: An employee raises concern over any wrong doing within the organization. The reasons can wary and can be indiscipline, disobedience, improper of mis conduct etc. External Whistleblowing: When any illegal or wrong doing against the company or against the management of the company is raised outside the organization it is known as external whistle blowing |
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Personal: When an whistleblowing affects any individual it is called personal whistleblowing
Impersonal: When a whistleblowing process harms a third party it is known as impersonal whistle-blowing
Government: When any wrongdoing or illegal activity is conducted by government officials, it is known as government whistleblowing.
Corporate: When any wrong doing is done in business it is known as corporate whistle blowing.
How to promote whistleblowing culture:
1. Open door culture: Whistle blowing policy is successful only when it has an open door culture. Any employee can raise their concern against any wrongdoing, illegal activities or malpractices without any fear. The senior management must put on best efforts to build an ethical and open door culture in an organization. When any concern is raised by an employee in open door culture, it removes the negativity attached to whistleblowing
2. Right Training: Employees should be trained to know their rights and duties on whistleblowing and its procedure. The Employee must be trained and educate enough of various ways and aspect of whistle blowing so that they can raise concern freely against any wrong doing happening in an organization. A company should have policies to protect whistleblower and the same should be well communicated to employee as well. Proper training should be imparted to employees so that they can raise concern with their immediate manager or HOD and never hesitate to blow the whistle. They should be trained to differentiate between grievance and whistle blowing.
3. Involvement of all stakeholders: All the stakeholders, vendors, contractors, suppliers etc. should be given visibility on the whistle blower policy. They must be clearly aware of the whistleblowing procedure to raise any concern. The policy should be made available on the company's website.
4. Need to Act: Whistle blowing policy and procedure are not something that is just for listening. Appropriate action should be taken once the compliant received. There is the most critical gap between a problem raised by an employee and the time taken to act. This gap should be reduced to make whistleblowing policy successful.
5. Commitment: Organization should show commitment towards building a culture wherein every effort is made to make the whistleblowing policy on ethical grounds and ensure promoting it as and required.
6. Communication: Official communication can be done through inter office memos, newsletters and presentation to promote whistleblowing within the employee of the company.
7. Proper investigation and follow up: Whistle blowing concern should be taken care properly. In case of any delay the concern loses its meaning and the organization loses its credibility. The Managers therefore should take prompt action and report to Management or The Audit Committee (if any).
Benefits of whistleblowing:
Barriers to whistleblowing:
2. Cultural Obstacle: This type of obstacle arises when the environment of the organisation does not motivate employees to raise their concern fearlessly.
3. Employee union resistance: Where the trade unions are functional in the organizations they generally do not promote voice raising against any breach of contract and conduct.
4. Employee Fear of Retaliation: employees are scared and hesitate in reporting any whistleblowing activity as people in higher authority may take revenge on them.
