What does a whistleblower policy typically protect employees from?

Whistleblower policies are designed to encourage employees to report unethical, illegal, or unsafe practices within an organization without fear of negative consequences. The primary protection offered by these policies is against retaliation for reporting specific concerns. This could include various forms of reprisal such as harassment, demotion, suspension, and termination.

By providing such protections, whistleblower policies promote a culture of transparency and accountability. Employees are more likely to speak up about wrongdoing if they know they won’t face adverse actions for doing so. This safeguard is essential for maintaining ethical standards in the workplace and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The other options do not encompass the core function of whistleblower policies. Increased workload and mandatory training requirements are related to job responsibilities and professional development but do not directly address the issue of retaliation that a whistleblower policy is meant to mitigate. Termination without cause, while a serious concern for employees, is not specifically what whistleblower policies are designed to protect against, as they focus more on providing safeguards concerning actions taken in response to employee reports of misconduct.