Whistleblower Rights and Protections Essay Example
Whistleblower Rights and Protections Essay Example

Whistleblower Rights and Protections Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (388 words)
  • Published: February 26, 2022
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Whistleblowers are individuals who uncover misconduct and aim to correct it while holding the responsible parties accountable. There are three types of whistleblowers: internal, personal, and impersonal. Internal whistleblowers disclose wrongdoing within an organization, such as a worker exposing safety breaches in a restaurant or unveiling insider trading at a financial corporation.

Personal whistleblowing involves reporting an individual within an organization for their own misconduct, such as manipulating financial records or sharing confidential information without permission. Impersonal whistleblowing, on the other hand, refers to reporting an organization or system by an external party and often reveals corruption, government misconduct, fraudulent activities, or other offenses. It is important to note that whistleblowers are legally protected in certain situations.

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 safeguards federal and state employees who expose government misconduct and offenses,

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shielding them from termination, demotion, or intimidation. It encompasses various forms of harassment such as mismanagement, fund misuse, and disregard for public health and safety.

In 2012, an amendment fortified this legislation by enabling employees with classified document access to report to pertinent authorities without compromising their protected standing.

Furthermore, the False Claims Act permits the initiation of legal actions against individuals accused of defrauding the government via impersonation, collusion with public officials, or utilization of falsified records.

The government can either offer assistance or let the whistleblower pursue the case independently. Tax Fraud serves as a way to reward those who prevent or report tax fraud and possess significant evidence. Whistleblowing is a contentious issue in society, but certain factors must be taken into account for it to be deemed justified. The whistleblower must evaluate their motives to determine if they are driven by personal

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gain or the betterment of society as a whole. When engaging in whistleblowing, it is essential to prioritize the latter.

In internal cases, it is crucial for whistleblowers to ensure they have followed proper channels and are acting in good faith rather than out of malice. Whistleblowers must assess their actions and consider potential consequences. For example, disclosing documents that may jeopardize national security or reveal personal information without authorization would be unethical. Any such disclosures should only occur through the appropriate channels.

If the whistleblower fulfills all requirements, their reporting is entirely justified as it serves society by ensuring accountability for the wrongdoers and informing others about comparable misconduct.

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