build-a-culture-that-supports-encourages-whistleblowers

It seems that perhaps one of the best things for an American whistleblower to do these days is think about surrendering their citizenship in favor of immigrating to Canada.  Canada is changing the whistleblower retaliation game from shoot the messenger to punish the perpetrator.  In the case of Shay, a nurse employed by the City the retaliation was brutal.  Management was actually aided by human resources in the employment termination.  All because a public servant wanted to report the possible abuse of an elderly woman.  A career destroyed by individuals who cared little about her as a human, the elder, the legal costs or the reputation of the City.  Their “zeal” hurt the City, Shay, the tax payers and it remains unknown but likely there are others who have been harmed.

But the good that results may eventually outweigh the bad acts.  Canadian HR Reporter Editor Todd Humber’s article is a great start. He begins by touching upon the Penn State scandal describing the heinous debacle then crawls out of darkness to light a pathway that proactively welcomes whistleblowing.  That’s a pretty savvy, gutsy and bold move for a HR publication because HR has never been pro-whistleblower.  In fact, HR usually compounds the retaliation by turning a blind eye to human rights violations and discriminatory practices.  And these are the people extremely well-educated on employment law often teaching anti-retaliation.

Humber puts it straight with this very simple concept.  “Whistleblowing is not a dirty word. It’s not something organizations should fear.”   His words are refreshingly clean.  So unlike the droll, shady articles published in the U.S. which basically warn companies to take precautions and ensure a compliance policy states zero tolerance for whistleblower retaliation.  Words that ring hollow when the whistleblower bell tolls.

When the whistle blows, most U.S. companies run to the legal and human resources department to conspire on how to assassinate the character of the once trusted, dedicated and usually highly praised employee.  If the whistleblower is fired, all the better because a terminated employee is less likely to have the money to file a law suit and won’t be re-employed with a nice big black mark on their record.  It’s a financial power play that takes the spotlight off the wrongdoing and makes the employee look like a disgruntled worker.

Our thanks to Canadian HR Reporter for lighting a new bulb in the thinking cap.  Companies that put less emphasis on playing defense and more time invested in advancing humanitarian treatment, good faith and fair dealing will outshine the competition and be praised.  Now, where’s my passport…

Note: Good comments by David Hutton at FAIR.  about_us.html

O Canada!                                                                                                                   
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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