Employee faith in whistleblowing programs wanes when companies act selectively

Whistleblowing hotlines are rightly championed as valuable tools for employees and even third parties to raise concerns about corporate conduct. But it seems some complaints may be acted upon more keenly than others, particularly if blame can be pinned to one individual and any potential fallout can be ring-fenced.

When the board of food production giant Nestlé found out through a whistleblower that its chief executive was having an extramarital affair with an employee, he was dismissed within days for violating company policy.

On Sept. 1, Nestlé announced that CEO Laurent Freixe had been fired with immediate effect following an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a “direct subordinate.”