Whistle-BlowingWhistle BlowerSlide 3Stages of a Whistle-Blowing IncidentStages of a Whistle-Blowing IncidentSlide 6Potential Whistle-blowing Scenario?Seriousness TestReality CheckGet the Big PictureForcing Management RecognitionTaking the Problem to Upper ManagementGoing Outside the OrganizationLiving with the ResultsFederal Law Protection for Whistle BlowersReferences9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 1Whistle-BlowingThis is a set of notes on the topic of whistle-blowing as presented in:Kevin Bowyer, “Ethics and Computing:Living Responsibly in a Computerized World”, 2nd Edition, IEEE Computer Society Press, New York, NY, 200110/30/08 CSC309 Miller 2Whistle BlowerA whistle blower (term derived from whistle blowing actions of English bobbies) is one who makes revelations meant to call attention to negligence, abuses or dangers that threaten the public interest. They sound an alarm based on their expertise or inside knowledge, often from within the very organization in which they work.10/30/08 CSC309 Miller 3Whistle BlowerMost know that their own careers and livelihood may be at risk. When the riskbecomes too great for an individual the dropping or backing away from the issue, is referred to as swallowing the whistle.Being in a situation where your integrityis a function of your pay check is not viewed as living the good life.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 4Stages of a Whistle-Blowing IncidentThere is good agreement that in most whistle-blowing situations there is a general set of issues that should be addressed as the situation evolves. At any stage the issue may be dropped.In those rare cases where there is neither time to fully evaluate the situation or there is no reason to assume that anyone within the organization would support a corrective action, then it is reasonable to skip stages.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 5Stages of a Whistle-Blowing IncidentStage one -- Is there a potential whistle- blowing scenario?Stage two -- Seriousness testStage three -- Reality checkStage four -- Becoming aware of the big picture9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 6Stages of a Whistle-Blowing IncidentStage five -- Forcing management recognition of the problemStage six -- Taking the problem to upper managementStage seven -- Going outside the organizationStage eight -- Living with the Results9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 7Potential Whistle-blowing Scenario?1. Someone within your organization is pursuing an action that you believe is ethically wrong.2. You believe you know relevant information which is not generally known.3. You believe that if what you know is correct then if it became public knowledge the course of action would be changed.Whistle blowing is generally not about things that you happen to dislike.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 8Seriousness TestIs this issue really serious enough to merit your concern?If there is a potential loss of life or catastrophic destruction of property then this is an easy call but something like directing purchases to an old high school buddy even when thosepurchases could be made cheaper elsewhere will take a second look.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 9Reality CheckMake sure you have read the situation correctly. “Remember, no matter how intelligent and experienced you are, there is always the possibly that your initial impression of the situation is not completely correct.”******[You could be wrong!!]******Discuss the issue with colleagues or someone whose opinion you trust. If they have a different view try to understand why.2/9/09 CSC309 Miller 10Get the Big PictureYou need to get beyond your individualprospective and see the problem in a broader setting. You need to acquire more information.For example: You could be concerned about the amount of time allocated for testing new software. But there might be a new group that was going to be assigned that task when your group was taken off of the code. Upper management makes decisions off of information from a wide variety of sources.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 11Forcing Management RecognitionTry and get problem solved from within organization with as little hard feelings as possible. Describe the problem clearly, avoidplacing blame, and offer a solution. If needed,get help to present problem. If nothing happens you get forced into escalating the situation. Force management to acknowledge they have heard your concerns. If negative reaction, this time when most whistles are swallowed.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 12Taking the Problem to Upper ManagementSo you have convinced yourself that your management is not going to do anything andyou need to go over your boss’s head. Your job is now on the line. Stephen Ungar suggests you select someone who: 1. Has interest and responsibility in the area2. Is likely to be sympathetic3. Has the clout to get something doneMiller suggests you go up at least two levels.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 13Going Outside the OrganizationContrary to popular belief newspapers are not a great place to go. Reporters like to sell stories and if yours doesn’t sell papers then it will probably not be supported the way you would like. Regulatory agencies and legal authoritiesare a better choice.Also, remember you are doing this as an individual so not on company letterhead ortime.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 14Living with the ResultsIf your employment situation hasn’t change, it will shortly. Anticipate the transfer to a dead end position, or the opportunity to resign or be fired. Even if a court orders your company to rehire you you are not going to find a happy situation.A whistle blower essentially never continues ahappy career in the same organization.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 15Federal Law Protection for Whistle BlowersPrimary protection offered by the Federal Whistle Blower Protection Act of 1989 that unfortunately offers no protection if you are an employee of a private company or work for state government.The False Claims Act of 1863 (amended in 1986)states that a whistle blower may receive 15 to 25 percent of recovered funds if government participates and up to 30 percent if it doesn’t.9/29/08 CSC309 Miller 16ReferencesMyron Glazer, and Penina Glazer, “The Whistleblowers: Exposing Corruption in Government and Industry” Basic Books Inc., 1989.Kevin Bowyer, “Ethics and Computing:Living Responsibly in a Computerized World”2ed., IEEE Computer Society Press, New York, NY,