Whistleblowing as a Symptom of Employee Loyalty - Polish Perspective
Ilona Swiatek-Barylska

Abstract
Employees’ loyalty is a complex and not fully understood phenomenon. Revising the definition of loyalty, brings up the question: how can whistleblowing be a symptom of praiseworthy loyalty (as loyal behaviour) and at the same time controversial in its understanding. The answer lies in the object of loyalty. As the research shows, whistleblowing is perceived as a sign of loyalty to other people, groups and organizations only in specific situations. The attitude to loyalty and whistleblowing differs in distinct countries. In Poland interest in the issue of whistleblowing is relatively a new phenomenon. There does not exist any special law protection for whistleblowers. Despite the fact, in Polish companies exists a consent and an employee's interest in revealing malpractices which take place at work. In addition with the increase of the gravity and danger of the malpractice grows the declared willingness to whistleblow. It is not dependent on the age of employees. Low level of trust in Polish society has its reflection in implementing mainly formal mechanisms of control averting malpractices, and one can observe a deficiency in creation of pro-loyal attitudes and behaviour. They should be aimed at raising a social awareness of the significance of core values important for the functioning of an employee and an employer and for creation legal protection of whistleblowers.

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