The fundaments of whistle blowing
While answering the question about whistle blowing and its relation to the Loyal Agent Argument, I would like to highlight some necessary points concerning business and professional ethics. So, first of all, there is a need to point out that whistle blowing is considered to be “the release of information by a member (or former member) of an organization that is evidence of illegal or immoral conduct in the organization, or conduct in the organization that is not in the public interest” (“What is Whistle Blowing”, n.d., para. 2).
I have to clarify that only the employer or the member of the firm can blow the whistle; other persons are not considered to be whistle blowers. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that the worker or the employer is in agreement with the principal of the company. Taking into account our situation, I have to point out that a professional should distinguish between whistle blowing and dissent.
Thus, a professional is to understand that disagreement or lack of consensus is not whistle blowing. In other words, if a professional is faced with a situation that seems to require whistle blowing, he or she is to furnish proofs of really significant wrong. Of course, it is not a secret that there are many bad managers in the companies.
Another interesting fact I want to disclose is that there are certain established procedures for the employers of the company. So, if the employer follows these procedures, such actions are not regarded as whistle blowing. Thus, if a professional thinks that he or she is faced with a situation, which requires whistle blowing, than he or she is to release necessary information outside of the above-mentioned or established procedures.
On the other hand, there is also a need to explain some distinctive features between external and internal whistle blowers. So, internal whistle blowers do not follow the established reporting, but keep data within the company. One more important point a professional is to keep in mind is that his or her desire to release information is to be free or voluntary.
In other words, there should not be any extra factors which can impact a professional’s decision to release information. On the other hand, there can be some situations when a person is legally required to assert.
Generally, there are two motives a person relies on when speaking about whistle blowing. Thus, in most cases, whistle blowers release information because they think that they do the right thing, or when they want to protect their interests. When thinking about whistle blowing, a professional should understand that his or her actions can destroy the relationships of confidence that the company is based on.
When analyzing our situation, it is also necessary to disclose the role of an agent. Thus, an agent is recognized to be a person, who is to perform the instructions of the principal. In other words, an agent is to act in the interests of the principal.
There is a wrong opinion, that there are only lawyers who can perform the role of an agent. So, it should be pointed out that any employer can perform the role of an agent. Thus, an employer or an agent has a right to protect confidential information of the company.
Now, I would like to disclose some necessary points concerning the Loyalty Argument. There is also the so-called Disloyal Agent. The whistle blower is considered to be the disloyal agent. Disloyalty is wrong. So, taking into account previous statements, one can make a conclusion that whistle blowing is wrong. As far as the agent or the employer is to perform reasonable directives, illegal or immoral actions are not allowed.
However, while considering some previous statements, it becomes obvious that the agent or the employer is allowed to reveal information, if he or she acts in superior interests. Thus, keeping in mind a moral perspective, one can make a conclusion that the agent’s duties are not absolute. Generally, there are two definitions of loyalty.
On the one hand, if a person acts in the interests of the company, his or her actions can be considered to be loyal actions. On the other hand, if a person acts according to his or her moral obligations, than such actions are also recognized to be loyal actions. In most cases, however, whistle blowers think that they are loyal agents.
The Loyal Agent Argument or the final decision
So, I have to affirm that a professional must stay quiet, as in most cases, the whistle blower is considered to be the disloyal agent. This means that whistle blowing has nothing in common with being a loyal agent. For this reason, it becomes evident why agent’s loyalty has numerous limitations. The most important limitations have already been pointed out.
So, the first limitation: the agent or the employer has no right to perform illegal or immoral things; the second limitation: the agent or the employer is not obligated to do the things, which do not correspond to the scope of his or her duties. In our case, the agent is a professional.
If a professional can furnish proofs, he or she is considered to be the loyal agent; so, the previous conclusion will have no sense.
Reference
What is Whistle Blowing. (n.d.). Web.