Here’s a provocative question someone once asked me…
“If I’m aware of a group of co-workers who are stealing from our company, should I report this ongoing theft—or look the other way and just let things play out?”
In other words. “Should I become a whistleblower?”
Whistleblowing is when an employee of a business (or member of an institution) discloses fraud, corruption, or abuse that is taking place within the organization. In some cases, whistleblowing involves alerting outsiders to some sort of threat to public safety or national security.
Think Mark Felt (AKA “Deep Throat”), the high-ranking FBI official who leaked information about President Nixon’s involvement in Watergate to The Washington Post. Or Karen Silkwood, who divulged health and safety issues at the Kerr-McGee nuclear plant in Oklahoma in the early 1970s.
There are reasons that many—perhaps even most—people choose to look the other way when they become aware of institutional illegalities or injustices.
Some fear retaliation. Despite supposed legal protections, whistleblowers often face retaliation from employers and/or colleagues. This can include harassment, ostracism, demotion, possibly even blacklisting. (Note: Karen Silkwood died in a suspicious auto accident as she was on her way to meet with a reporter from The New York Times.)
Speaking up/out is stressful. It complicates a whistleblower’s life. It is often isolating, and may lead to anxiety and depression.
On a more positive note, whistleblowing is a way to prevent organizational decay and to promote justice. When corrupt people know that no one will step forward to question their misbehavior, the corruption metastasizes and spreads throughout an institution. (Note: Thanks to Karen Silkwood, the unsafe Kerr-McGee plant was shut down in 1975.)
Another upside? In some places and situations, whistleblowers are eligible for financial rewards, especially if their disclosures lead to positive changes.
But perhaps the biggest positive for speaking up is that whistleblowers experience a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Despite the stress, they know in their hearts, “I did the right thing.”
Keeping others from being harmed…standing against corruption…working to create a culture of integrity—these are all noble goals. Not easy, but well worth pursuing.
Let me flip the question around:
If someone were stealing money from YOU, wouldn’t you want to know it? How would you feel if you learned that others knew, but kept silent? I thought so.
If you ever find yourself in a “whistleblowing” situation, I would suggest you talk to an attorney. I would also recommend asking yourself a couple of questions:
- Is “looking the other way” any different from dishonesty?
- What’s more important—doing what’s right or doing what seems safe?
(I have found that the cost of doing right often stings at first, but it has a way of getting sweeter over time. Conversely, the comfort bought by taking the “safe” route usually proves to be very short lived.)
Whatever you do, remember this: you’ll live with your choice for a long time. So, choose wisely.
And speaking of wise choices…if you’re trying to figure out the best way to turn your retirement assets into regular retirement income, I have a free gift for you. It’s a short quiz called the RISA (which stands for Retirement Income Strategy Assessment). The RISA can help you figure out the financial strategy that’s best for you in life’s next chapter. Email bmoore@argentadvisors.com for your free link.
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