Jeffrey Wigand’s whistleblowing on his former employer, Brown & Williamson. To what extent do you think Wigand was ethically justified? Divide your discussion into three parts:
1. First, imagine that Wigand had no confidentiality agreement with Brown & Williamson. State whether you think it would have been (a) ethically permissible and/or (b) ethically obligatory for Wigand to blow the whistle. Give reasons to support your answer by applying De George’s five criteria (pp. 332-9) to the (imagined & modified) case.
2. Next, consider the confidentiality agreement that Wigand, in fact, signed with Brown & Williamson. State whether the existence of this agreement makes any difference to your answers above, and give reasons to support your position. Please ensure that your treatment deals – at least briefly – with the issue of employee loyalty.
3. Finally, answer the following question: Would you have made the same decision as Wigand if you had been in his place? Explain why or why not.