Question

Class - As our textbook suggests virtue ethics operates on a simple promise that good people make good choices. This of course assumes the same characteristics across leadership and follow our demographics, no? One of the virtues outlined in our text, courage, is discussed in terms of follower ethics as much as leadership ethics. Specifically there are times when followers hold leaders to account for what our view to be unethical decisions or behaviors. One such example of this relates to "whistleblowers." To my eye and ear, whistleblowers have been discussed in a negative light, as though they are somehow betraying the corporate community of which they are a part or betraying the trust of their peers. Many times these individuals taking a stand for their own personal values in the face of what they viewed to be unethical behavior lose their jobs or are otherwise out casted in their professional communities. Do we as a society or as individuals value moral courage as a discursive principal, and shun these behaviors when enacted? Why?

Answer 1

Moral courage has become an eminent characteristics for successful and idealistic individuals of the current era. The moral courage to raise voice against anything unethical is the need of the hour. This will help in building the society a better place.

A Whistle Blower is a great example of a person who has moral courage. Whistle blower is an individual who reports a policy, process or power misuse in the organization, which will have a significant impact on the company’s business.

The whistle blower is protected under the Whistle blower act.

Any individual, who sees a misuse happening against the general interest, can be whistle blower.

The circumstances in which one can blow the whistle:

• Any kind of criminal or fraudulent activities in company
• Any deviation or failure from legal obligations, keeping personal interests at the forefront
• Unethical behavior or abuse
• Damage to the social conduct at the workplace
• Threat to an employee’s health or safety
• Cover up of an inappropriate activity hampering company’s business