Ethics & Governance

Table of Contents Page

1. 0 Introduction of Whistle Blowing and what is it? 2

1.1 In what Circumstances do they whistle blow? 2

1.2 Singapore Code of Corporate Governance in relations with Local Companies 2

1.3 The Singapore Code of Corporate Governance advocates the disclosure of Company Whistle- Blowing practices and procedures 3

2.0 Should employees have a duty to blow whistle on unethical or illegal acts? 3

2.1 Case of Enron 4

2.2 National Kidney Foundation Saga 4

3. Whistle Blowing practices in European and US organisations 4

4. More Protections for Whistle Blowers 5

5. Conclusion 5

6. Reference 6, 7

Qn 1. The Singapore Code of Corporate Governance advocates the disclosure of Company Whistle- Blowing practices and procedures. Should employees have a responsibility to blow the whistle on unethical or illegal acts?

1.0 Introduction of Whistle Blowing and what is it?

In a game of football, players are penalized when he or she had commits a foul play or violates the rules, thus this is when the referee steps in and blows the whistle to honour the other party a free-kick or a penalty kick. Similarly, this practice is brought into the context of business ethics. (McConnell, 2007)

Whistle blowing simply in this context means the employee of an organisation unveils evidence of unlawful or immoral acts performed in an organisation. And such practices are seen as harmful to both external and internal individuals of the organisation. (Near & Miceli, 1985) Employees are usually the whistle blowers as they have the inside facts and truth of the organisation.

1.1 In what Circumstances do they whistle blow?

Whistle blowing is a very risky and courageous act to do as he would be putting risk to the entire company stakeholders’ job on the line. The employee will question himself whether the practice is ethical or morally right; does the practice bring harm to people and lastly, who...