The ‘Whistle-Blower’
The ‘Whistle-Blower’
What is ‘Whistle-Blowing’?
Whistle blowing is legally known as a “Public Interest Disclosure”. This occurs oftentimes in the workplace or at post-secondary institutions. The term refers to the act of disclosing information about a wrongdoing.
Examples:
1. An employee discovers that an executive is doing illegal conduct to gain profit, and then discloses this to authority.
2. A university student whistle-blows on another student for plagiarizing a report paper, even though this is a clear, written violation in the school’s policy.
3. A senior discloses to the City Hall that his neighbour is creating daily health dangers in his back yard that may impact the entire community if not stopped.
Who can be a whistle blower? Anyone.
Whistle blowing should not be used by someone, as a revenge tactic, to resolve a personal dispute.
The ‘Whistle-Blower’Act
The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA), the whistle blower act, was produced to legally protect whistle-blowers from being dismissed or penalized, as a result of making a disclosure. This means that an employer cannot dismiss the employee – the whistle blower.
How to be a ‘Whistle-Blower’
Disclosures of wrongdoing should be made either verbally or in writing to an Assessment Officer, where an investigation may begin. Your case may proceed to a Disclosure Officer, where a number of actions may be available, including an informal resolution, disciplinary action, or referral for a more thorough investigation. The Assessment Officer will act as the point of contact for the person(s) making the disclosure.
