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Letcher lenny social and ethical concerns
This document discusses whistleblowing and outlines some of the risks and rewards associated with alerting authorities or the public about illegal or unethical practices occurring in a company or organization. It notes that whistleblowing can be seen as disloyal and may result in termination or demotion by colleagues. However, whistleblowing can also stop wrongdoing, uphold principles, and be considered patriotic. The document examines some historical examples of whistleblowing, including at WorldCom and within the tobacco industry. It concludes that whistleblowing can be justified ethically if internal attempts are made first to stop inappropriate behaviors.
Letcher lenny social and ethical concerns
- 1. WHISTLE-BLOWING IS IT WRONGIF NOBODY KNOWS?
- 2. WHAT IS WHISTLE-BLOWING? •Alerting the media, government, or regulators to illegal or unethical practices. • Started as late as 1863 when the false claims act was identifid
- 3. WHAT ARE THERISKS? • Looked At As Disloyal • Possible Termination • Possible Demotion • Colleagues Turn on You • Be Labeled a “Snitch” or “Tattletale”
- 4. WHAT ARE THEREWARDS? • Stop “Evil” • Stick to Principles • Good Citizenship • Could be Patriotic
- 5. WHISTLE-BLOWING IN HISTORY WORLDCOM • Company Cooked Books for $3.8 Billion • Internal Auditor Addressed Issue with Board members • Shareholders Took the Loss • Led to Passing of Sarbanes-Oxley Act for Corporate Accountability BIG TOBACCO • 7 CEO Testified That Nicotine was Not Addictive. • R&D Director Alerted the Court and Media • “People were dying, I was loyal to a higher order of ethical responsibility.” • Big Tobacco Settled for $246 Billion
- 6. SO, IS ISRIGHT OR WRONG? • Whistle blowing can be used ethically if you take appropriate steps within your company to stop the behavior and it does not stop.
- 7. WORKS CITED Thompson, Kimberly.“Risks And Rewards Of Blowing The Whistle.” Phi Kappa Phi Forum 92.3 (2012): 24 MasterFILE Premier. Web. 17 Mar 2014