Whistle Blowing Flashcards
What is whistle blowing?
When an employee speaks out about wrongdoing to the employer, a recognised authority or the public
Give two occasions when whistle blowing is a legal obligation
If an accountants client is found to be avoiding taxes, they must speak out.
OR
If a nursery teacher suspects another teacher is hitting children, they must speak out.
Why do some people whistle blow in public?
Because they have reported the problem to their boss but they have done nothing about it
Why is whistle blowing risky?
Employers may see them as ‘trouble makers’, so they may be made redundant, given the horrible jobs, or cut of in the event of promotion
What protects employees from being made redundant if they choose to whistle blow?
The Public Interest Disclosure Act
What would happen to an employer who retaliates to a whistle blow?
They can be jailed for 10 years
Which jobs aren’t protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
The armed services or public intelligence as whistle blowing could put national security at risk.
Who argues that an employees loyalty to the company is their first responsibility?
Norman Bowie
Who should an employee turn to first if they have a problem, said Norman Bowie?
The company’s own complaints procedure
