Whistle-Blowing in the Public Service: an Overview of the Issues

Abstract

Whistle-blowing, as a form of dissent in American bureaucracies, first emerged in force during the late 1960's and early 1970's, and was institutionalized in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. This article explores the phenomenon of whistle-blowing, including its origins, organizational contexts, and the need to provide protection for the person who blows the whistle. The author suggests several internal and external devices which can be implemented by an organization to make whistle-blowing less necessary, but concludes that whistle- blowing is a manifestation of serious organizational and governmental problems. As long as these problems exist, so will the need to blow the whistle.