Whistleblowing
Reporting illegal, unethical, or unsafe organizational behavior to internal or external bodies.
Definition
Whistleblowing is the act of an employee or stakeholder disclosing information about illegal, unethical, fraudulent, or dangerous activities within an organization to internal channels (ethics hotlines, HR) or external authorities (regulatory bodies, media). Many countries have whistleblower protection laws that prohibit employer retaliation against individuals who report misconduct in good faith. A robust whistleblowing policy is a key element of corporate governance and ethical culture.
Example
“The finance executive who reported fictitious accounting entries through the company's anonymous ethics hotline was protected from retaliation under the organization's whistleblower policy.”
Synonyms
- reporting misconduct
- speaking up
- raising a concern
- blowing the whistle
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Related Terms
- Compliance
- Grievance
- Employee Relations
- Statutory Compliance