Should whistleblowers be shunned or applauded for bringing a true glimpse into b

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   kenjmoposted 10 years ago

   Should whistleblowers be shunned or applauded for bringing a true glimpse into business practices?

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   barbat79posted 10 years ago

   Depends on how serious the infraction and legality   If illegal, I say yes.  And yes someone who calls attention to activity that is illegal will ruffle feathers and be shunned, they will be blamed for reporting, but why do we have laws at all then?
   One persons opinion...

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Point taken. Whistleblowers can't commit treason but the information of past wars and behind the curtain deals made into policy needs watching. We are owe that much understanding our tax dollars has funded most of theses wars and mysterious projects.

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   hrymelposted 10 years ago

   That's really a loaded question. In business practices, and government yes, whistle-blowing can help keep a level of honesty of that is otherwise lacking. Whistle-blowers are how the rest of the world knows how big corporations like Wal-Mart and McDonalds treat their employees, what goes into the food we eat, and who makes our clothes.
   
   When it comes to military whistle-blowers, though I feel like they're putting lives in danger. I understand people supporting military whistle blowers, because the people want to know what the military is doing.  Also, whistle-blowing sexual harassment, etc. has shown itself to be a helpful practice. However, the transparency that keeps businesses honest can be a danger to military personnel.
   
   Wiki Leaks and people spreading information about current military tactics, bases, and logistics puts soldiers who are already putting their life in danger, into a much higher level of peril.

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Playing devils advocate for a moment if there were unlawful acts committed by our military, present day. National security would cover it up in the interest of safety right but if the military is wrong during a mission why wait to blow 10 yrs. later?

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      hrymelposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Because waiting 10 years makes sure that all missions tied to that specific action are no longer in danger. Releasing information on one action can put many related missions in critical danger. All military activities are connected.

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      @hrymel, connected b/c the corruption lingers and festers into a operation built on lies and betrayal. Furthering gains of the government to benefit their personal agendas. Just b/c we put our people in harms doesn't make the mission right i.e. Iraq

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   Shona Venterposted 10 years ago

   I  would say applaud them for having the guts to stand up and say it how it is. These days, too many people are too busy being 'politically correct' because 'they don't want to offend anyone.' Unfortunately with a world population of around 7 billion people, you're bound to annoy at least a few of them at any given time...

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      So true Shona, it seems the media, perhaps government are trying to twist the horrific actions carried out in secrecy over the years. Furthermore with over 90% of people poor and a little less than 2% wealthy with power how else can we learn truth.

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   cprice75posted 10 years ago

   The answer depends upon perspective. Businesses will shun such people. Some parts of society will frown on them, as well. There is a segment of society that seems to be wedded to the idea that laissez faire business practices would never go awry or do anything unseemly toward their workers or the general public. These people are naive. While I appreciate the need to make a profit. I do independent work on the side and would not do it for free. I have a profit motive that tries to minimize my expenses while maximizing my income. However, I do not appreciate making a profit while doing things that are unsafe for others or laying off Americans to take advantage of cheap labor elsewhere (while simultaneously not passing on the lower costs to customers, no less). I personally applaud these people who bring these problems to light.

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Respectable!

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   watergeekposted 10 years ago

   In my experience, business works a lot better when people are open with each other and it becomes a partnership, rather than management and staff trying to trick or manipulate or sneak one by the others. Whistleblowing would not be necessary if people treated each other with respect and worked openly together.
   
   You can say I'm naive, but I actually tested out this concept in the last company I worked with. Where upper management wanted to keep things hidden, so they could "control" their staff, I made things clear with my staff and shared whatever information affected their work. We built a great team and pulled in a big contract with an agency the company had been wanting to work with for a long time. Transparency did that. Working as a team, instead of competing, did that.
   
   I think a lot of the problems we have in this country stem from corporations and governments tricking each other and the public and then trying to hide what they did. It gives them "power" they think. And you have to have "power" to get things done. But I've proven otherwise. And what works in one small company and personal life can work in bigger ones too. So I'm for the "whistleblower."

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I wish greed and jealousy wouldn't ruin that concept but it seems for every watergeek there are 10 more oilygeeks.

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   Patty Inglish, MSposted 10 years ago

   What is the place of whistleblowing in American business and government? In the 2010s, increasing numbers of people seem to have made the practice their hobby. Is it good or bad? read more

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   Ericdierkerposted 10 years ago

   both!!
   Scumbucket non team players. Whore dogs Suckers of society. Looking for a easy way to the top. Losers. Victims, not Victors.
   
   It is the "eye of the tiger". you learn which is which.
   
   Hero's that bring attention to problems
   
   Women who do not come forward with sex defiance in workplace are scum. Old people who are booted and do not make in public are scum.
   "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything"
   
   I have no place at my table for those who know wrong and do not stand against it.

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   IDONOposted 10 years ago

   I would say neither.  Even though whistleblowers may mean well and don't approve of shady business practices, they also tend to have tunnel vision. They are looking to clean up something but don't look at the overall ramifications of what they are doing. Example: If a person goes public with unsavory practices that could cause the dissolving of a company, that will also dissolve the livelihood of many employees. Even in government is can trickle down to thousands of people economically. There are other ways to solve issues like these and should all be exhausted before going to the media or other public sources. Look at Snowden. He is a hero to some and seems quite the martyr. But did he think about safety and national security before he made public the privacy issue? Probably not. Is anything different in your life now than it was before he made his NSA announcement? Probably not. Did he accomplish anything other than create even more havoc than we already have? Probably not.
        Whistleblowing is only appropriate when it results in a positive result. If it doesn't, the wrong avenue was taken.

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      kenjmoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      INDONO. I respectfully disagree Snowden put into light our constitution being dissolved. Knowledge is power! Doesn't make you wonder what the governments willing to do to its citizens? I do, so plz whistleblowers keep telling us what the media won't.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You are right. But sometimes, for the greater good, we are better off not knowing certain things. Especially when it comes to national security. Be clear. I am not condoning what our gov't has done. Just looking at both sides.

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