Would you blow the whistle on NGO bullies?

While ethical standards and how to treat one another with dignity within an NGO should be implied without question or considered as an unspoken rule -shockingly- non-governmental organizations’ workers can also be experiencing serious bullying.

In this case, the plaintiff compromised his employment as an aid worker while working at a children’s NGO to denounce internal bullying. Today, Sam is presenting his claim to the justice system to point out critical loopholes in the organization: its failure to protect their employees from abuse and the use of intimidation to silence them.

Being conflicted on what decision he had to make, Sam was left with 2 options: continue to put up with the abuse, which meant keeping his job, or exposing the truth, which would most likely got him fired. His campaign on Invest4Justice shows that Sam mustered the courage to stand up to what most of us consider being the most honorable choice. What would you have done? Would you be ready to stand by Sam and fight bullying along his side?

When finally blowing the whistle, Sam was pushed around and as predicted; fired. Hence, Sam was left unemployed and struggled to find another position months after his wrongful dismissal. An investigation was conducted only after Sam was let go, and the report showed no trace of such misconducts. The report is probably believed to be biased.

The irony is that whilst I was working there, I was asked to develop a fundraising proposal for a project to train children on how to act as whistle blowers for bullying behavior.

Sam’s lawyer accepted to work pro-bono on this case, however, he needs to raise $6,000 to cover court application fees and to pay a barrister to represent him in court.

Such scandal could bring disgrace and “decredibilization” to an organization that claims its mission is entirely social. But it could also make a difference for the ones still enduring the abuse and also restore Sam’s dignity. If Sam’s claim is proven to be true, the NGO will have no choice but to implement reforms aiming at strengthening workers’ protection and right to go to work without fear.

Since the case is ongoing the name of the NGO is not to be revealed until the end of the trial.

Your contribution could make a huge difference. Help Sam bring his case to court!

Would you blow the whistle on NGO bullies?