whistle-blower

Definition

One who reports a problem or violation to the authorities; especially, an employee or former employee who reports a violation by an employer.

Etymology

From whistle + blower, referring to a police officer blowing their whistle on observing a violation of the law.

Example Sentences

• "We owe it to a small group of brave whistle-blowers that we know about the infractions at all."
• "As my study proceeded, I began to see that an investigation of organizational morality should also explore managerial dissenters, so-called whistleblowers, many of whom take stands against their organizations on grounds that they define as moral."
• "Usually the whistleblower is not fired outright. The organization's goal is to disconnect the act of whistleblowing from the act of retaliation, which is why so much legislation to protect whistleblowers is practically irrelevant. The usual practice is to demoralize and humiliate the whistleblower, putting him or her under so much psychological stress that it becomes difficult to do a good job."

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