Question 1

When an employee discovers evidence of malpractice or misconduct in an organization,he or she faces an ethical dilemma.

Accepted Answer

This is because the employee must decide whether to disclose the information, potentially risking their job and other negative consequences, or to remain silent, potentially allowing the unethical behavior to continue. This situation can be challenging and requires careful consideration of ethical principles and values.

Question 2

Everyone views whistleblowers as brave men and women who put their careers and personal lives at risk in the name of "doing the right thing."

Accepted Answer

Not everyone views whistleblowers positively; opinions vary, with some seeing them as heroes and others as traitors or troublemakers.

Question 3

The threat of losing your job and being alienated by your colleagues should outweigh the possible financial gains a whistleblower might receive.

Accepted Answer

The decision to blow the whistle involves ethical considerations and personal values, and financial gains are not the only factor to consider. The importance of exposing wrongdoing and protecting the public interest can outweigh personal risks.

Question 4

Whistle-blowing is ethical when the company,through a product or decision,causes serious and considerable harm to the public or breaks existing laws,the employee should report the organization.

Accepted Answer

Whistle-blowing is considered ethical when it involves reporting serious harm to the public or the breaking of existing laws by the company. In such cases, it is the moral responsibility of the employee to report the organization to prevent further harm.

Question 5

One of the first uses of the term whistleblower occurred in 1943,when Otto Otopeka was dismissed from the U.S.State Department after giving classified documents on security risks to the chief counsel of the Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security.

Accepted Answer

The term "whistleblower" was not first used in 1943 in relation to Otto Otopeka. The concept of whistleblowing has existed for centuries, but the term itself became more commonly used in the 1970s. Otto Otopeka's case is notable, but it did not originate the term.

Question 6

Sherron Watkins was the individual who blew the whistle on WorldCom's illegal activities.

Accepted Answer

Sherron Watkins was the whistleblower for Enron, not WorldCom. Cynthia Cooper was the whistleblower for WorldCom.

Question 7

Whistle-blowing is ethical if the employee has valid reasons to believe that revealing the wrongdoing to the public would result in changes necessary to remedy the situation.

Accepted Answer

Whistle-blowing can be justified if the employee has reasonable grounds to believe that the organization is involved in wrongful activities, and the disclosure of the information can lead to corrective measures being taken. However, whistle-blowing should only be considered as a last resort when all other internal channels for addressing concerns have failed, and there is a significant threat to public safety or the public interest. Therefore, it is ethical for an employee to engage in whistle-blowing under certain circumstances.

Question 8

One could argue that whistleblowers provide an invaluable service to their organizations and to the general public.

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowers often bring to light corrupt or illegal practices that may otherwise have remained hidden, and this can lead to improved accountability and transparency within an organization or industry. They serve as a check against wrongdoing and can help prevent harm to the public or the environment.

Question 9

If an employee brings the misconduct of an organization to the attention of law-enforcement officials,he or she is external whistle-blowing.

Accepted Answer

External whistle-blowing refers to when an employee brings the misconduct of an organization to the attention of law-enforcement officials or external regulatory bodies.

Question 10

When a whistleblower's immediate supervisor does not act,the whistleblower should exhaust the company's internal procedures and chain of command up to the board of directors.

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowers are encouraged to follow the company's internal procedures and chain of command up to the highest level possible, which is often the board of directors, when their immediate supervisor does not act. This helps ensure that the concern or issue is addressed appropriately and that the whistleblower is protected from retaliation.

Question 11

The discovery of illegal activities before the situation is revealed in the media could potentially save organizations millions of dollars in fines and lost revenue from the inevitable damage to their corporate reputations.

Accepted Answer

If illegal activities are discovered and addressed before they become public knowledge and cause damage to the organization's reputation, it can prevent costly fines and mitigate financial losses due to reduced customer trust and loyalty. It also helps to maintain the integrity and credibility of the organization's leadership and management.

Question 12

Since internal whistle-blowing usually receives media attention,it is possible to track the history of such actions.

Accepted Answer

Not all internal whistle-blowing receives media attention, as many cases are handled internally within organizations and may not become public knowledge.

Question 13

Whistle-blowing is unethical if the employee is motivated by the opportunity for financial gain,media attention or that the employee is carrying out an individual vendetta against the company.

Accepted Answer

Whistle-blowing is considered unethical if the employee is motivated by personal gain or vendetta, as it undermines the legitimacy of the concerns raised and can harm the reputation and operations of the company without just cause. The act may become ethical, however, if the employee's primary motivation is to protect the welfare of company employees or the public, and if they have exhausted all internal channels for complaint or correction.

Question 14

Internal whistle-blowing is when an employee discovers corporate misconduct and brings it to the attention of his or her supervisor and then brings it to the attention of law-enforcement agencies and/or the media.

Accepted Answer

Internal whistle-blowing involves reporting corporate misconduct first to a supervisor or management and then to higher authorities such as law-enforcement agencies and/or media.

Question 15

Whistle-blowers are often severely criticized as informers,"sneaks," spies,or "squealers," who have in some way breached the trust and loyalty they owe to their employers.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Whistle-blowers are often criticized for breaking confidentiality and loyalty towards their employers.

Question 16

Under the Federal Civil False Claims Act,whistle-blowers who expose fraudulent behavior against the government are only entitled to less than 10 percent of the amount recovered.

Accepted Answer

Whistle-blowers who expose fraudulent behavior against the government under the Federal Civil False Claims Act are entitled to between 15 and 30 percent of the amount recovered, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Question 17

An employee does not need irrefutable evidence before becoming a whistleblower; just an inclination is sufficient.

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowers are generally expected to have credible evidence or reasonable belief of wrongdoing before reporting, rather than just an inclination.

Question 18

External whistle-blowing is a 20^th century phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

External whistle-blowing, the act of reporting misconduct or unethical behavior by an organization to external parties, has been documented throughout history. However, it became a more common practice in the 20th century with the growth of large corporations and increased government regulations.

Question 19

A Qui Tam Lawsuit is a lawsuit brought on behalf of the federal government by corporations against whistle-blowers.

Accepted Answer

A Qui Tam Lawsuit is a lawsuit brought on behalf of the federal government by whistleblowers against corporations.

Question 20

A whistleblower is an individual who discovers corporate misconduct.

Accepted Answer

A whistleblower is an individual who reports or exposes corporate misconduct, not just discovers it.

Quiz 7: Blowing the Whistle