Not Sure about Blowing The Whistle? Ask Yogesh Sood
Dear Yogesh,
I work for a company that asked all the employees to join the back office in person in the last week of January. Somewhere down the line, I knew this was too early and I was proven right by an increase in the cases. Even though it was too early, I was still happy to see people in person and work collaboratively in the team.
After the mandate was given, we were asked to get both doses of the vaccine done and were also supposed to submit the vaccine certificate. I can say for myself that I was the first in line to get the vaccine done. But, I recently heard a conversation I shouldn't have heard. An employee in our department, I’ll call her Puja was telling a friend that she got a fake vaccine certificate made and hasn’t been vaccinated. They were laughing about it and ridiculing our HR department, which has worked really hard to manage our return to the office. I only know because I have a friend in HR.
It makes me angry to see how people are taking this grave issue lightly and are not paying attention to other people’s health. I don’t know if I should tell this to anyone. As much as I am concerned about other people’s health, I’m also worried about my own reputation as my company is a place where everyone knows everyone and this could really backfire on me.
What do you think about it? Should I tell others or HR about it? Please help!
Regards,
Paushali
Dear Paushali,
The question you have asked is great in itself as it represents the modern-day corporate world and the modern-day pandemic scenario really well. The big question that remains is whether you should tell anyone about it or not. In other words, whether you should blow the whistle or not?
Deciding on such a thing can be a life-altering decision as it affects not just you, but the other two as well. Most people like to do it anonymously. It is impossible to not stand for something that you feel is right. I would suggest that you weigh every possible option that could happen if you tell. The last thing you want is for your image should change to someone who lurks around, listening to conversations you weren’t invited into, and then tattling.
Even if you report this to the authorities anonymously, you must look out for the possible things that can happen. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
What might your goals and inspirations be to report what you heard? Is it your anger at somebody who feels in contrast to what you feel? Is it your feeling of defense for your friend in HR?
Does the part of you that feels the morally predominant need to see Puja rebuffed? Could it be said that you are 100 percent sure that one unvaccinated individual will genuinely put everybody in danger?
What result do you expect may be forced on Puja? Imagine a scenario in which she was terminated and that brought on quite a few difficulties that you can't expect. Could her family be affected? Could her team be left? Will that make you feel better?
Another aspect to look at is If your organization has directly asked the employees to show their certifications. It might be one thing, but no one has appointed you to be a compliance officer. Now, come to the situation where you follow tried-and-tested principles like minding your own business, Don’t gossip, and Nobody likes a tattletale.
If you somehow happened to follow these standards, you could choose to defy the speaker you heard. Tell her you inadvertently heard what she said, that you will keep your mouth shut, yet that you have concerns. This might not seem like a very wise choice, however, it is a choice.
You have kept the guidelines and have done what was required of you. Puja isn't keeping guidelines and she disagrees with them.
Lastly, each seemingly insignificant detail an individual does gives you one main thing regarding their personality and dependability. Presently you discover significantly more with regards to Puja than you at any point needed to, and assuming you at any point have to work closely with her, all things considered, you know what to keep an eye out for.
I trust this will be over soon.
Regards,
Yogesh Sood
The above is an adaptation of a blog written by MADELEINE HOMAN BLANCHARD on JANUARY 11, 2022