03.05.13 The 11th Practice for Avoiding Corruption

11. Consider Blowing the Whistle

‘Blowing the whistle’ refers to alerting the authority about corruptive employees or any other malfunctions, crimes or scandals in an organisation, without necessarily revealing the identity of the blower to those reported. 

There are several reasons why blowing the whistle could contribute towards preventing you from succumbing to corruption.  Let us mention a few.  Firstly, you deserve to work in a clean and non-toxic environment.  And, if mouths remain sealed; corrupt officials could continue unabated, with far-reaching and devastating consequences on your work environment and services rendered.  Second, as already intimated, corruption is infectious.  Someone said that ‘if you cannot beat them, join them’.  So, by turning a deaf ear or blind eye to inherent corruption in your unit, department, directorate, organisation, community or country; you may find be promoting an environment that may eventually suck you in. 

However, some people see it as inconsiderate to alert the ‘powers that be’ about illicit dealings in your work environment; claiming that by doing so, you are betraying your workmates thus putting them in trouble.  But surprising as it may sound, God encourages us to disclose the corrupt.  See what Ephesians 5:11 says (RSV): Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  2 Chronicles 19:7 takes it further by saying (NKJV): ..take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”  ‘Do it’ refers to taking action. 

The thing to note though is that you have to exercise wisdom in the way you go about raising the alarm; to avoid a backlash should the suspects put their finger on who reported them.  That is where a well-crafted ‘Whistle Blowing Policy’ becomes so important. 

Therefore, if the organisation’s whistle blowing policy is adequately designed, you should not shy away from alerting the authorities, in case you notice any corruptive tendencies. 

That said, the fact that ‘fear’ could hold you back is understandable.  But God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  Switch on those three attributes and you will be bold enough to take action.  For your comfort, you don’t have to rely on your own strength.  Philippians 4:13 says that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.  God has already deployed all the resources you need should you choose to blow the whistle. 

One last point.  Some whistle blowers bite off more than they can chew, by going ahead to investigate offenders.  Not only has this exposed the blowers to incumbent danger, but in many cases, the exercise backfired.  Therefore, remember that your duty is to report and not to investigate; unless you have been commissioned and trained for that responsibility.  So, you are better off leaving the investigating to the professionals.