Hosted by Dr. William J. Frey

Responsible Dissent

Row 1, Col 1 It is often treated as the only form of organizational dissent It always produces harm. The moral question is whether the harms it avoids compensates for the harms it produces. What is Whistle Blowing?

1,2 More things to do before blowing the whistle. What are making sure the issue is important, making use of dispute resolution methods, and collecting documented evidence?

1,3 “Diversity naturally arises from our limited powers and distinct perspectives; it is unrealistic to suppose that all our differences are rooted in ignorance and perversity….” What is the circumstance of compromise called moral complexity?

1, There is a serious and considerable harm, immediate supervisor has been notified, and chain of command has been exhausted. 4. There is documented evidence that would convince a third party 5. There is reasonable evidence that the harm prevented will be greater than the harm caused When does whistle blowing become a moral obligation?

2,1 Gather information Nolo contendere Negotiate Oppose Distance yourself Exit What are generic forms of ethical dissent?

2,2 Maintaining your personal integrity Protecting your organization’s reputation or finances Reducing threats to public safety and health What are good reasons or motives to blow the whistle?

2,3 “The desirability of preserving continuing, cooperative relationships among members of a family or citizens of a nation” What is another circumstance in disagreement that recommends moral compromise?

2,4 To show someone that you will not be ignored To punish someone for their behavior toward you What are bad motives for whistle blowing or for organizational dissent in general?

3,1 Value Integration Compromise Trade Offs. What are three ways of addressing value conflicts?

3,2 Different participants have different, incompatible information sets pertinent to the situation. What is a Factual Disagreement?

3,3 1. Lost of job1. Lost of job 2. Negative job performance evaluations2. Negative job performance evaluations 3. Having work more closely monitored by supervisors3. Having work more closely monitored by supervisors 4. Being criticized or avoided by coworkers4. Being criticized or avoided by coworkers 5. Being blacklisted from getting another job.5. Being blacklisted from getting another job. What are some of the consequences suffered by whistle blowers?

3,4 An agency of the government A non-government organization (NGO) The press or mass media An ethics hotline Your company’s board of directors A professional society What are parties to whom you can blow the whistle as a last resort in responsible dissent?

4,1 A form of responsible dissent that opposes without blowing the whistle What is leading an Organizational Charge?

4,2 Factual uncertainty Moral complexity Continuing cooperative relationship Decision cannot be deferred Scarcity of resources What is “circumstances of compromise”?

4,3 1) Severe depression or anxiety1) Severe depression or anxiety 2) Feelings of isolation or powerlessness2) Feelings of isolation or powerlessness 3) Distrust of others3) Distrust of others 4) Declining physical health4) Declining physical health 5) Severe financial decline5) Severe financial decline 6) Problems with family relations6) Problems with family relations What are the more personal costs of whistle blowing?

4,4 Anonymously or publicly Inside the organization or outside Alone or as part of an organizational charge With or without documented evidence With or without resigning from your office or job What are different ways of blowing the whistle?

5,1 Things to do before blowing the whistle What are establishing a clear foundation, keeping arguments on a professional plane, and catching problems early?

5,2 A decision which “splits the difference” between the disputants. (Each side gives in so that the result is not the first choice of either) What is a compromise?

5,3 1. Risk of a “serious and considerable harm” 2. Notification of immediate supervisor 3. Supervisor has not responded and matter has been raised before three additional internal levels When is whistle-blowing morally permissible?

5,4 Includes steps such as multiple levels of hearing, investigation by an independent committee that includes peer review, and filing the message in a publicly accessible archive What are the some of the requirements of a DPO or dissenting professional opinion procedure?