Whistleblowing refers to the act of an employee reporting or disclosing unethical, illegal, or unsafe practices within their organization to the relevant authorities, either internally or externally. This act is typically driven by a sense of moral responsibility to uphold ethical standards and protect the well-being of the organization, its employees, and the public.
Example
An HR manager at a pharmaceutical company becomes aware that the company is knowingly selling a defective drug that could harm patients. In adherence to ethical standards and legal obligations, the HR manager reports this dangerous practice to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure public safety.