Whistle-Blowing Coursework (Coursework Sample)

Whistleblowing
Name
Institution
Introduction
Whistleblowing has become one acknowledgeable ethical practice in the business world. The call for accountability is booming especially with regards to the legal protection stipulated by the constitution. However, the process of whistleblowing and the consequences are not predictable events. From a personal point of understanding, the engagement requires one first to assess the situation in which he or she will conduct the whistleblowing. Further, one ought to consider gathering ample evidence and exercise preparedness for any repercussions associated with the act. There are merits and cons of being a whistleblowing.
Pros and cons of being a whistle-blower
Pros
First, being a whistle-blower gives one an opportunity of exposing improper or inappropriate behaviour in organisations or businesses (Lombardo, 2015). It is imperative to note that being a whistle-blower does not change the corporate society at large. However, one becomes a good example of facilitating accountability where necessary. The exposure of improper behaviour in organisations may facilitate the reduction in the level of losses by the companies. One may feel a sense of self-satisfaction by working in a place where ethics is followed to the letter.
Further, whistle-blowers enjoy legal protection by the constitution. The federal government has a whistle-blowers protection program that protects the good people who report violations (Lombardo, 2015). Therefore, it is at one's discretion to ensure that he or she discloses any feasible wrong doings. For instance, the act of disclosing some actions that may cost the government large amounts of money. There is a likelihood of one upgrading his or her portfolio in the context of the honest people. Recently, being a whistle-blower comes with fiscal rewards that may surpass the aggregate income one would get. That means that one can secure or protect himself from the retaliation.
Pros and cons of being a whistle-blower
Cons
First, being a whistle-blower could diminish one’s career prospects (Lombardo, 2015). There is a possibility that the company and the employees who act as whistle-blowers can face a downside. The public appearances and practical participation in the government investigations make it hard for an employee to secure employment elsewhere.
Further, being a whistle-blower could lead to personal complications (Lombardo, 2015). For instance, the legal protection may not be good enough to protect one against retaliators. Alternatively, failure to provide outstanding evidence could lead to complicated lawsuits and investigations. Finally, one could be perceived to be a snitch whenever he or she engages in whistleblowing. Therefore, others might believe that one is doing it for financial gains. The ultimate situation is that the whistle-blower lives a complicated life henceforth.
Ethical behaviour of Douglas Durand and Federal Government
Douglas Durand and the federal government all demonstrated unethical behaviour in the manner through which they approached the claims of hiked prices of products. First, Douglas choose to investigate a company and practices that he was in a position to resolve (Weinberg, 2014). His intentions are explained to oscillate around earning the award given by the government when it applies fines the TAP Pharmaceutical Company. Alternatively, the government seems to intimidate and even consider evidence that ought not to be used against players in the health sector. Accordingly, both Douglas and the federal government were not supposed to act out of selfish interests.
Recommendations to TAP Pharmaceuticals
From an analytical point of understanding, the TAP Company may have had a set of issues to answer. Therefore, the company needs to develop measures that would save it from suffering similar suits. First, the company should come up with a reliable system for hiring honest employees. Douglas was an employee whose dishonesty is reflected by negligence to correct a situation (Weinberg, 2014). Further, the company should establish strict accounting policies to ensure there are no cases of fraud. That will save the organisation from suffering the financial loss it suffered through paying a fine to the government. Employee ...