Workplace Promise Institute Conference Brings Together Whistleblower Advocates

The 2024 Workplace Promise Institute Conference was held last week in Washington, D.C., from September 11th to 13. This three-day event gathered whistleblowers, crucial whistleblower advocates, and high-profile attorneys to hear keynote speeches, panel discussions, and documentary previews regarding whistleblower rights, protections, and mental health issues.

Whistleblower attorney Benjamin Calitri of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto was featured as panelist during the conference where he shared his expertise on whistleblower laws.

Jackie Garrick, Founder of Whistleblowers of America and key organizer of the event, stated that this year’s conference aimed “to bring people together to discuss our common issues and share our experiences, help each other heal, advocate, and build a better future for all whistleblowers.” 

On Thursday, September 12, whistleblower legal advocates came together for the panel discussion “Whistleblower Laws and Legal Processes – Who Gets What?” They delved into whistleblower laws, how retaliation and reward programs protect whistleblowers, and the disparate protections afforded to federal and private-sector whistleblowers who report internally. The panel was a collaborative effort, with speakers including Calitri, Tom Devine of the Government Accountability Project, Brian Knowles, International Human Rights Attorney, Gine Poserina of Kreindler & Associates, Richard E Condit of Mehri & Skalet, and Cleveland Lawrence III from Mehri & Skalet.

In his discussion, Calitri discussed the importance of whistleblower award laws in changing the rational calculus of whistleblowing. He explained that many economists consider corruption and fraud to occur when it is a rational decision; if the benefits outweigh the potential costs, people will decide to commit a crime. Calitri argued that “we need to turn the equation on its head and make whistleblowing a rational economic activity – instead of something done by the rare few heroes. […] Reward programs increase the benefit and decrease the risk of blowing the whistle.”

Echoing this potent call, Condit stated that he “sees these programs as the next wave of whistleblower laws.” 

Rewards programs were raised again during the Q&A section of the panel, and at Friday’s discussion on international whistleblower legislation, highlighting the policies as a crucial aspect of incentivizing and protecting whistleblowers. Over the three days, the deep appreciation for the anticorruption contributions of whistleblowers was a throughline in all discussions.