What Exactly Is a Whistleblowing Policy and How Does It Impact HR Practices?

I came across the term "Whistleblowing Policy" many times. Just wondering if any of you can help me understand what it means and how it is applicable in HR.

Thank you.

Whistleblower is a person who, while working in the organization, reports violations that are occurring to authorities. For example, if HR is violating any laws, engaging in irregular compliance, or falsifying records, a whistleblower is someone who exposes these violations, without concern for being a fellow employee in the same company.

Whistleblower policy is a set of directives to ensure protection for whistleblowers. Many times, whistleblowers have been killed for revealing unpleasant facts. Companies should not prevent employees from disclosing any illegal or risky practices adopted by the company, at least internally (within the organization). It may be a violation of the law by not following safety and health laws. For example, a medical lab may be improperly disposing of syringes instead of destroying them using needle breakers, etc.

A link to law: http://persmin.gov.in/DOPT/Employees...ionAct2011.pdf [India Law Journal](http://indialawjournal.com/volume6/issue-2/article7.html)

In the private sector, there was a recent case involving the Essar Group, where an internal whistleblower leaked a series of internal emails that purported certain undesirable activities. What is the truth? One really does not know.

This link shows what a whistleblower has brought out: [What the Essar Diaries Mean - Moneylife](http://www.moneylife.in/article/what-the-essar-diaries-mean/42144.html)

I hope this clarifies what a whistleblower does and the meaning of whistleblowing. When a policeman sees a thief, he blows his whistle. Similarly, some public-spirited employees blow the whistle by revealing internal details of wrongdoing by their company.

Dear Dharti,

Nathrao has been very kind to explain the concept of Whistleblowing and provide you with links. I take this opportunity to request bloggers like you to search CiteHr for information first, post what they have understood, and then seek help to rectify any misconceptions. By clicking on the various links in the box to the right of this message, you will find that this topic has been adequately covered in the past.