Whistleblowing and Covid-19: Impact of the pandemic  

Among the many consequences of Covid-19, a significant increase in the number of whistleblower reports has been noted. According to the whistleblower organisation Protect (UK), the outbreak of Covid-19 caused a 74% increase in whistleblowing cases in June 2020, compared to the prior year. Individuals calling Protect’s helpline mentioned, among other things, problems related to layoffs, or misuse of the government’s aid to employers.

Other problems included health risks, such as a lack of face masks and safety equipment, or not being able to keep a safe physical distance.

Covid-19: Whistleblowing of greater public interest

When managing whistleblower reports, it is always important to decide if the misconduct is of public interest, or more of a personal complaint. It is clear that organisations ignoring health related misconduct associated with the pandemic also risk exposing the public to danger. Whistleblowing cases concerning Covid-19 can affect not only the reporting individual, but also other members of society.  As a result, this can also meet the requirement for misconduct of greater public interest.

Whistleblowing and Covid-19 globally

Whistleblowing reports related to Covid-19 have been received all over the world. One of them was the Italian researcher, Francesco Zambon. In August 2020, he published a concerning report on how ill-prepared Italy was when the pandemic hit. The report was withdrawn the very next day. According to Zambon, he was under intense pressure from WHO (World Health Organization) officials to make changes to the results in his report. Zambon reported the misconduct internally, but according to him, he was ignored for several months until he chose to resign. In an open letter, Transparency International criticizes the WHO for having failed to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and demands a reform of its whistleblowing solutions.

Other whistleblowers include people working in healthcare that spoke out about the lack of face masks and other protective equipment. In March 2020, Polish midwife Renata Piżanowska was fired after showing how the staff tried to protect themselves using homemade face masks made of paper towels and rubber bands. The hospital lacked adequate protective equipment such as face masks, disposable overalls, and gloves.

In Sweden, Stine Christophersen, nurse assistant, and Ingrid Leirnes, medical secretary, were subjected to retaliation from their respective employers. Both had publicly criticized shortcomings in patient safety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stine and Ingrid later received a whistleblowing award from Transparency International Sweden for their efforts.

When speaking about whistleblowing during the Covid-19 pandemic, perhaps one of the most famous whistleblowers is Dr. Li Wenliang. He tried to warn about the new virus that began to spread in Wuhan but was silenced by the local Chinese authorities. Dr. Li Wenliang himself became a victim of Covid-19 and passed away at only 33 years old.

How can companies and organizations handle whistleblowing in a good way?

Whistleblowers do both society and organisations a great service by recognizing and sounding the alarm on misconduct. They are even more valuable in times of global insecurity. The way the organisation will manage and respond to whistleblowing reports can be crucial for the company’s reputation. An objective and professional attitude is appreciated by both employees as well as the company’s owners and other stakeholders.

The increase in whistleblower cases during the Covid-19 pandemic shows us the importance of a well-written whistleblowing policy. The policy should be relevant and up-to-date, and it is also a good idea to arrange for frequent internal education about whistleblowing. The whistleblower systems must be easily accessible and all documentation regarding the whistleblowing channel must be available to everyone.

Also pay attention to emerging risks as the organisation continues to grow. Invest in engaging employees and ensuring their well-being. It is important for employees to feel that they are in a safe environment and are comfortable sounding the alarm about internal problems and misconduct. This way, it is possible to avoid whistleblowers reporting externally or going to the media, with potential negative impact on the company’s reputation as a result.

After working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, many employees are now returning to their offices in some capacity. This is undeniably the right time to create a safe workplace for employees to return to.

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