How do Public Relations Respond to Whistleblowers

          The main problem of running and/or involving in a stakeholder is that clearly every business has its own obstacles in order to keep the company running. However there’s a small act of a person, which might be seen as a small thing, but the impact of the company will get big trouble. The term is called whistleblowing. In definition, whistleblowing is a person who has unpermitted privilege to spread company secrets or other wrongdoing to other stakeholders (particularly public), in an organization. Most likely, this act of whistleblowing can be accidental, even secretly. Although whistleblowing might be assumed as negative, nevertheless whistleblowing can be ethical, as long as there’s a permission to spread the information, or directly tell stakeholders for the sake of the company’s future.

For instance, a division of customer service inside X mall has this code of ethics of not consuming any foods and drinks during working hours. Due to the fact that customer services have long shifts therefore they secretly bringing foods and eating while working. Although they know that there’s a CCTV cam right in the right corner however they ignore the rule, so as the security department because they’re friends. As long as the mall visitors don’t complain they’re fine. But one day, there’s a complaint from the mall visitors to management department; and the board of directors interrogate the customer service and the security department. Unfortunately there’s no choice but to give the recording tape.

                This situation leads the PR division to handle the negative image, as a way to keep the company reputation safe, after conduct a surveillance on who is very responsible on this problem. In addition they have to create a marketing strategy for mall visitors, also the HRD department have to monitor the customer service, and the security department; due to the fact that this organization is clearly have the lack of discipline and commitment. The other choice is to fire the people, if there’s still some employees left. But the second choice will be the external choice because it is very hard to find good looking and committed costumer service. In terms of marketing strategy, PR division can create a focus group discussion to the ones who are the loyal visitors, specifically housewives, with the aim of gaining critiques and suggestions. As well PR division can report to HRD department by requesting more training and stricter regulation, as well as extended rest.  The rest shift will take turn with the coworker. For security department, the supervisor must monitor strictly to the subordinate, for preventing any whistleblowing incident.

                In conclusion, based on this situation this act of whistleblowing is ethical, because the visitor knows that putting foods on the table indicates that the customer services are not serious in working. Every stakeholders must determine what information is ethical to be reported or not, in order to sustain company reputation and the company in the long run. That way there would be less trouble.