Ethics and Responsibility Are Intertwined - Essay Example

Whistleblowing is good because it exposes corruption and malpractices, which could harm society. If Ayer does nothing he is causing harm to society, to himself, because he would keep feeling guilty, and also to the organization. After all, the management may not be aware at which level such things are happening.

b. If Ayer complained there is every chance that manufacturing would stop and many would lose their jobs. Whistleblowing is a complex social phenomenon. While it exposes corruption in the society or the organization, it can be bad because it amounts to a breach of trust. A whistle-blower has to take into account three elements before deciding to whistleblow - dissent, loyalty, and accusation (Rocha & Kleiner, 2005). The instinct of the person witnessing wrongdoing is to report the action. What holds back the person is fear – the consequences that may arise out of his action. Ayer should carefully assess the situation, discuss it with colleagues and bring it to the notice of the management in such a way that it causes the least harm to society or the organization, or his colleagues. His motive for whistleblowing is not malicious or vested with personal interests. Ayer would not be making an ethical decision if he did nothing simply because his colleagues would lose jobs.

c. If Ayer blows the whistle on the firm by releasing the information to the newspaper and the television networks, it would have repercussions both on the firm and on Ayer. At the time of employment, usually, employees have to sign a ‘non-disclosure agreement’ which binds them and holds them back from revealing secrets of the company to the public. At the same time, the public interest demands that a professional must be an ethical person (Camerer, 1996). Whistleblowing would also amount to disloyalty to the organization. Hence the person reels under the agony of indecision. Again, confidentiality and loyalty towards the organization cannot be more important than the duty towards society. According to Qusqus and Kleiner (2001), no law can bind a person to keep silent against offenders and an employee has a higher responsibility towards the society. His action would also affect his position in the company and he could lose his job. He may have to face hostility and he also risks termination from society at large which would affect his chances of another employment. Read More