This week we will read about people who are morally driven to call attention to problems they see at work. The readings will highlight conflicting loyalties of these employees, the loyalty to one's employer, and to one's own conscience. It will expose the dilemma faced by one who must decide to become a whistleblower, often at the risk of of damaging repercussions upon themselves, their families and those at work.

We will explore the conflicting concepts of whistleblowing and the duty of loyalty in the workplace through case law, statutory law, and employees who have made the decision to expose any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public. You will begin the week by watching a video on a speaker we hosted at Xavier who made that decision, Michael Woodford. You will be directed to articles on other whistleblower cases. You also have reading in your text, pages 87-127.

At the end of this module you will be able to:
• Explain the legal doctrine of employment at will.
• Describe the limitations or exceptions to employment at will, both statutory and case law.
• Explain the meaning of the term whistleblowers.
• Evaluate when and why private individuals and organizations make claims to enforce securities law.

Watch: Michael Woodford, Olympus CEO Whistleblower
In this video Michael Woodford discusses his whistle-blowing activities while serving at Olympus. As the first non-Japanese CEO of Olympus, Woodford was controversially fired after revealing widespread company fraud. Woodford recounts his whistle-blowing experience and discusses the origins of his own personal ethics. He stresses the importance of fiduciary duty, honesty, and trust in corporate culture, both in Japan and around the world.

This week we will read about people who are morally driven to call...