I grew up with the understanding a whistleblower was the person in the schoolyard who blew the whistle after recess was over. I’ve come to learn that whistleblowers can be a range of people being paid good money to blow the right whistle but experience a pushback of animosity as well.
A whistleblower [also written as whistle-blower or whistle blower] is a person who exposes secretive information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical or not correct within a private or public organization. Edward Snowden and Martha Stewart would be two famous examples.
I got warm and fuzzy when I realized the Ontario Securities Commissions (OSC) will pay you millions for ratting out certain violations like insider trading, fraud or misleading financial statements. I thought about everyone I ever knew, friend or foe, who might be a candidate to make me rich but I guess I run in the wrong circles as no one had that kind of personal power. I have met some along the way who played the market but none were edgy enough like Martha to risk becoming a jail bird.
Tips submitted about a swindler should be of quality, timeliness and include credible facts. If it wasn’t for the credibility angle I might have had a shot. You could even contact the office of the whistleblower anonymously and be sneaky about it. Then if your information fell short, you shouldn’t be judged for trying. The OSC also encourages new whistleblowers to take action in earning big money. It provides a safe and confidential mechanism from reprisal. Its goal is to enhance public confidence in Canada’s public institutions and in the integrity of public servants.
Despite supposed protection, employers may fire a whistleblower or pressure them into quitting. Employees who don’t quit may be bullied, demoted, isolated or harassed. A 2009 study found that up to 38% of whistleblowers experienced professional retaliation in some form, including wrongful termination. Many report there exists a widespread “shoot the messenger” mentality by corporations or government agencies accused of misconduct and in some cases even criminal prosecution in retaliation for reporting wrongdoing.
Whistleblowers are sometimes seen as selfless martyrs for public interest and organizational accountability; others view them as “traitors” or “defectors”. Some even accuse them of solely pursuing personal glory and fame, viewing them motivated by greed.
Some whistleblowers may crack, becoming depressed or suffer panic attacks trying to cope with the pressure. So make sure the payday is a good one with a high chance of success.
The ethical implications of whistleblowing can sometimes be negative when employees blow the whistle as an act of revenge. There have always been occasions where disputes between neighbours get out of hand and one will whistle-blow the other to the municipality. The issue is generally over a yard not kept up or loud music after hours or even cars parked on the street. The problem gets resolved but the resentment of the party who has to comply doesn’t. Friction can adhere for years – sometimes into the next generation.
This next incident was resolved without whistleblowing. I had an uncle who ran the Post Office in the 70’s & 80’s. He had a drinking problem and had to leave occasionally to “dry out”. While getting help onetime, a small housing development was underway called Tucker’s Heights. The builder had plunked a large sign pointing to the development, on my uncle’s lawn. Upon arriving home it was the first thing he noticed and he was vexed. He resolved it creatively with one brush-stroke changing the ‘T’ for Tuckers to an ‘F’. Someone removed the sign within two hours.
As if whistleblowing wasn’t prevalent enough, we now have the “Virus Vigilantes”. They make hundreds of calls each day to municipal and government officials on persons seen breaking the current COVID-19 laws, such as playing in closed parks and not social distancing. It is not only necessary to prevent spreading of the virus to the unsuspecting but to help save them from themselves.
It will be a long haul before the coronavirus is defeated but there are other consequences too. The economy will be devastating to the poor and middle-class. And what about the state of global warming: these necessary sacrifices may be the dip it needs to get us all on board.
