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A whistleblower is an individual, who reports any wrongdoing inside an organization. This individual can be anyone from an executive, an employee, or even a customer, or anyone affiliated with the organization. They report wrongdoing with evidence, and usually report workplace misconduct which falls under breaking the policies of the organization. It gives them more than enough reason to report the wrongdoing. The wrongdoings can include workplace harassment, financial fraud, safety violations, discrimination, or breaches of ethical or legal standards. A whistleblower, while not a designated employee, is an individual who steps up for the better of the company, to maintain its decorum. Moreover ,they do this by reporting wrongs to management in an organization, who can take action.Â
Whistleblowers are important to the progression and maintenance of the decorum of an organization. They help promote an environment that is healthy, positive and has cohesion all through. The outliers, which end up affecting a workplace negatively are all vulnerable to a whistleblower. They acts as a corrective measure to make sure the workplace is functioning properly. They help to add a secondary layer of protection to the culture of the company, making sure that no employee can disrupt it. In addition to this, being able to know what is going on between employees without much effort. They can relay information right from the source, to the executives of a company, whether they be an employee, customer, or executive themselves. It is also very important to be able to report sexual harassment, financial fraud, discrimination, safety violations which whistleblowers help companies achieve.
Whistleblowers face a lot of backlash for the reporting they do regarding wrongs inside an organization. Protection from this backlash is in the best interest of a company to continue improving it. They have to make sure whistleblowers do not face any retaliation from their coworkers in the company. This is why whistleblowing protection exists. Their protection exists to protect whistleblowers and to make sure that they are kept safe. Doing this often involves a set of legal provisions, and organizational policies which protect them from harm regarding their disclosures. Their hotlines also exist, to make it a more streamlined process, and to maintain anonymity around those who report people in an organization. It is important to stay anonymous because evidence given with a claim, but without a face who reported it safeguards the reporter. Therefore, it make sure that they are protected from harm, and retaliation from the party.
Reporting misconduct in the workplace is important and requires following a protocol that varies depending on the company. It is crucial to take the following assertive steps when reporting misconduct:
1. Ensure you have knowledge of the misconduct occurring in the workplace.
2. Gather evidence and present it in a form that can serve as proof to the executives in the company.
3. Wait for the verdict while considering the policies that protect the whistleblower from backlash.
4. Demand ethical rewards for having reported the misconduct in the organization.
5. Decide whether to stay anonymous during the disclosure process. Remember, you have the right to remain anonymous.