Week 4_Annalisa Dailo_A02

In this week's reading by Block Joy,"Whistleblower," we get to see what it is like behind being the person that calls out other's wrongs. As I read these, I couldn't help to think about the saying, "snitches get stitches." When I first heard of that phrase, I was in grade school and there was a lot of playground bullies who would tell witnesses and their victims this. I feel that because of this small "careless" saying being a little scarring to hear (or hear of), it has been with us even in the professional workplace. It keeps us from doing the right things because we are afraid of the possibility of suffering the consequences; just because you're doing something right, does not mean something good is going to happen to you.

When I was hired at my past job, we had an ethics training day. Since it was retail, it was mainly revolved around what to do if one person saw their coworker steal an item or if someone was harassed by their coworker. Because of the snitches-get-stitches mindset, it was provided that if we reported an incident over the phone with a higher-up, there was an incentive: $5,000 towards the next paycheck. Knowing that there was an incentive, it breaks down the whole fear of telling on your peer.  However, I know that having incentives isn't really the case for most workplaces, especially when it is a more serious situation. 

Question: What is a "favorable" situation where everyone would feel inclined to report the situation without hesitation?

References: Joy, Amy Block. Whistleblower (2010). Point Richmond, CA, Bay Tree Publishing

Image: https://theshiftnews.com/2018/11/21/eu-lawmakers-propose-new-whistleblower-protection-law/