Hallie has worked at her financial services company for several years when she realizes that her department is creating false accounts to make itself look more profitable. Though she sees this clearly, she chooses not to report the issue to anyone. Why might she have made this choice?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There could be many reasons, or a combination of them, that keep Hallie from
taking action. She may have an authoritarian supervisor or departmental leaders,
people who have clearly communicated that they value loyalty over any dissention or any action that might derail progress. If her managers have made clear that they hold a closed-door policy and react negatively to the raising of problems, then Hallie would feel uncomfortable coming forward. Hallie’s company may also lack a reporting system outside of the chain of command and no way to make a report anonymously, further reducing her options and increasing her fears of retaliation, especially in the form of dismissal. Hallie herself may lack moral courage to stand up to such issues, or she may decide the issue lacks the moral intensity to matter enough for the risk of reporting. Other potential negative outcomes may hold her back, such as fear of retaliation and poor treatment by other employees or a desire not to cause harm to employees she is friendly with.