Whistleblowing & Integrity: a new perspective, Public Concern at Work (now Protect) (2000)
This early paper by UK whistleblowing charity Public Concern at Work (now
Protect) outlines the pivotal role whistleblowing plays in the fight against corruption. It outlines the three options that individuals have when they are concerned about serious corruption or wrongdoing: staying silent, raising concerns internally and raising concerns externally to the authorities or the media. The paper explains why robust internal whistleblowing mechanisms are essential, explaining that staying silent can, among other things, harm a responsible employers’ interests whilst voicing concerns externally to the media could create unjustified adverse publicity causing unnecessary damage and disruption to an organisation. The damage caused by a culture of silence is illustrated. The essentials of good whistleblowing arrangements are set out including: zero tolerance to corruption, assurance against reprisals, external options and access to independent advice.