implicit in the employment relationship. When an employee accepts a job, there are certain obligations incurred as a result of the employment contract. One of those obligations is the primary duty to obey reasonable instructions given by the employer. This is not all encompassing in that employees are not required to obey illegal or unreasonable instructions which are contrary to business ethics. This obligation of loyalty requires an employee to act in his employer's best interest and to take advantage of his employment (Westman 25). These duties of obedience, loyalty, and confidentially come in part from the trust placed in employees by their employers as a matter of necessity. For this reason, many potential whistle-blowers are apprehensive about violating this trust, but on the other hand, still face the ethical dilemma of "doing the right thing". The duties of obedience, loyalty, and confidentiality also pertain to the individual’s relationship with society in general. Under the old doctrine of misprision of felony, it was a crime for a citizen not to report a felony that they had witnessed. If this same doctrine were applied to business, not only would employees be expected to report illegal activities undertaken by their employers, but would be required to do so underpenalty of law. Hence, many employees feel compelled to report what they see for the good of themselves and society (Westman28). Employees are faced with not only what they see or know, but with the ethical dilemma of conscience. Many become frustrated after witnessing a wrong, but feel unable to do anything about it even through it is morally right to do so. They may also feel that they are in a position to take some kind of action when their company acts improperly, but in many instances, they fear retaliation from their employer. While the employee wrestles with the decision to report alleged illegal activity, the employer faces a dilemma of his ...
