Why do people blow the whistle?

Whistleblowers are responsible for revealing information that has shed light on some of the most scandalous events in our country. From Ponzi schemes to political corruption, whistleblowers play a vital role in rooting out misconduct in our society.

These brave individuals can unravel schemes that reach to the highest levels of business and government. But whistleblowers face risks, both personally and professionally. Which is why it is perfectly understandable that some whistleblowers are conflicted about coming forward and potentially losing their jobs or jeopardizing their careers.

With so much to risk, why do people blow the whistle? Many whistleblowers feel an ethical or moral obligation to report wrongdoing. They want to stop the misconduct they’ve observed and make sure others are not harmed. For these whistleblowers, the importance of speaking out against illegal and unjust behavior outweighs the risks they will incur to themselves. Most.

Studies have shown that whistleblowers typically make their decision to come forward and report wrongdoing based on how they value fairness and loyalty. When an individual gives more weight to fairness over loyalty, they are more likely to stand up and blow the whistle.

Some people think of whistleblowers as disgruntled employees who have no loyalty to their company, but this is not true. The reality is that whistleblowers are unwilling to participate in illegal conduct and believe rooting out and reporting such conduct is more beneficial to their company and society than remaining silent.

Of course, there are many different types of whistleblowers. Some whistleblowers do not come forward with information about their company, but instead about a cheating competitor. There are also personal cases in which a whistleblower knows a family member or friend is participating in illegal behavior and comes forward with information.

In any case, whistleblowers are brave individuals who know they face a personal risk in choosing to speak out and report misconduct. Their ethical obligation, sense of integrity, and commitment to justice are vital in the discovery and prosecution of fraud.

It is important for whistleblowers to know they are not alone in their pursuit of justice. Whistleblowers should seek the guidance of an experienced whistleblower attorney to help them through the process. A whistleblower attorney will help in reporting the fraudulent conduct and ensure the rights of the whistleblower are protected.

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With more than 40 years of experience, the attorneys on Baron & Budd’s whistleblower representation team have represented dozens of clients in government fraud cases returning over $6 billion to federal and state agencies, with whistleblower recovery shares as high as 50%. They are ready to help if you feel you have the evidence needed to file a whistleblower complaint.

Please call (866) 845-2164 or complete our contact form if you would like more information. For more information, see What You Need to Know About Becoming a Whistleblower. Please understand that contacting us does not mean that you have established an attorney-client relationship with Baron & Budd, P.C.