Question

Define notion of ‘whistle-blowing’ as it applies to the organisational context. Using an example, demonstrate how the Kew Garden’s principle would define whistle-blowing as a right. Using an example, demonstrate how the Kew Garden’s principle would define whistle-blowing as an obligation.

(700 to 1000 words) => Write your comfortable length will do

Answer 1

Answer.

What is whistleblowing? Whistleblowing is the term used when a person passes on information concerning wrongdoing, such as corruption, sexual harassment... This can be referred to as "blowing the whistle", "making a disclosure", "making a whistleblowing report", or otherwise. The person is usually closely associated with the organisation, often an employee, but also sometimes a supplier or a customer. They become a whistleblower when they observe behaviour or actions that they believe to be misconduct, illegal and not in line with the company's Code of Conduct, and report that suspicion as a whistleblowing matter.

Whistleblowing can take place either within an organisation, or publicly.

Organisational whistleblowing: is a preventive tool for organisations to reduce the risks of malpractice and irregularities. Empowering employees and other relevant stakeholders to blow the whistle increases the chances of managers obtaining information on irregularities that should be acted upon at an early stage. Organisations that take their Code of Conduct seriously will therefore put in place mechanisms to enable organisational whistleblowing, such as a secure corporate whistleblowing system or hotline and a whistleblowing policy or guidelines.

Public whistleblowing: In organisations where trust is low, the above mechanisms are not in place, or there is no possibility to be an anonymous whistleblower, the person may be more inclined to blow the whistle publicly. This may include reporting to the police, media or through online social channels, which of course brings a greater risk of reputational damage for organisations. In some instances, though, there is a duty to blow the whistle to a professional body or regulator.

Kew Gardens

Principle

1.        Extreme need

2.        Proximity

3.        Capacity

4.        (No-one else will act)

5.        Won't suffer undue loss

So, Whistleblowing falls under the No one else will act principle.

Eg. An Organization is cheating the tax department and its shareholders & investors by inflating expenses and showing less profits.

Hence, Whistleblowing in this regard is a right and obligation according to Kew Gardens Principles.