Why Didn’t KPMG’s “Speak-Up” Culture Work? The recent scandal between KPMG and the Australian government centers around the firm’s solicitation of audit clients subsequent to receiving insider information about the bids from other firms to gain audit contracts. KPMG violated independence because of the conflict of interest emanating from ties of firm partners to board […]
KPMG-Australia Scandal: A Case of Decision Drift Read More »
Introduction The recent scandal between Big-Four firm KPMG and the Australian government centers around the firm’s solicitation of audit clients subsequent to receiving insider information about the bids from other firms to gain audit contracts. KPMG violated independence because of the conflict of interest emanating from ties of firm partners to board members at the
KPMG-Australia Scandal: A Cautionary Scandal Read More »
Do Whistleblower Awards Lead to More Whistleblowing? The ethics of whistleblowing is a tricky matter. Whistle-blowing brings two moral values, fairness and loyalty, into conflict. Doing what is fair or just (e.g., promoting an employee based on talent alone) often conflicts with showing loyalty (e.g., promoting a longstanding but unskilled employee). Taken to its extreme
What Motivates Someone to Blow the Whistle? Read More »
Guidance on Dealing With Bipolar Disorder Last week I blogged about bipolar disorder and how triggering behaviors can affect relationships with others. I suggest you read that blog if you have not already done so. One reason is I discuss the symptoms and actions of Carrie Mathison, the main character in the hit streaming show, Homeland, and how her
Impulsivity and Poor Judgment Trigger Bipolar Behavior Read More »
Things to Think About Before Deciding Whether to Blow the Whistle Have you ever wondered when, how, and why whistleblowing first began? I did during the time that I researched whistleblowing cases for a paper that I wrote. I believe you will find the following interesting and instructive. Background The first reported case of whistleblowing
What Have We Learned from Whistleblowing Cases? Read More »
02/29/2024A Cautionary TaleI’ve always been intrigued by the philosophy of whistleblowing. It is an act of conscience and notmotivated by self-interest.A broad view of whistleblowing is the disclosure by organization members (former or current) of illegal,immoral, or illegitimate practices under the control of their employers, to persons or organizations thatmay be able to affect action.
When Should You Blow the Whistle? Read More »
Is Whistleblowing a Moral Act? Whistleblowers can be seen as heroes, disloyal, or even selfish if, in the latter case, the motivation for blowing the whistle is to gain a financial award, as is available under the Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal False Claims Act, IRS, SEC and the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act. Whistleblowers
Considerations in Deciding Whether to Blow the Whistle Read More »
Do Whistleblower Awards Lead to More Whistleblowing? The ethics of whistleblowing is a tricky matter. Whistle-blowing brings two moral values, fairness and loyalty, into conflict. Doing what is fair or just (e.g., promoting an employee based on talent alone) often conflicts with showing loyalty (e.g., promoting a longstanding but unskilled employee). Taken to its extreme
What Motivates Someone to Blow the Whistle? Read More »
I first posted this piece on my “Workplace Ethics Advice” blog and received so many comments and inquiries that I decided to post on my “Ethics Sage” blog as well. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects us from the government interfering with our speech – meaning we can typically express opinions (even if
Rules of the Road on Using Social Media Read More »
Doing Good by Being a Good Person What makes one person speak out and blow the whistle on wrongdoing while another remains silent? Is it a “moral sense,” as Thomas Jefferson wrote, that instinctively motivates a person’s thoughts and actions? Is it motivated by avoiding harm to others? The other day, a reader sent in
When Are Our Actions Morally Praiseworthy? Read More »