How many criteria are specified in the Framework of Whistleblowing?

• A. Five
• B. Four
• C. Six
• D. Three

Answer: (A)

The concept here is using a concise checklist to decide whether whistleblowing is warranted. In this Framework, there are five criteria you weigh when considering raising a concern. This five-item set helps you balance the ethical duty to protect the public and uphold standards with practical concerns like how internal processes can address the issue and what risks you face as a whistleblower.

Think of the criteria as covering: how serious and harmful the wrongdoing is, how broad its impact could be, whether you’ve or should attempt internal escalation first, whether taking action is likely to lead to meaningful change, and how to protect yourself from retaliation or other negative consequences. Having five criteria keeps the analysis thorough without becoming overly complex.

If there were fewer than five, you’d risk missing an important dimension of the decision; with more than five, the process could become unnecessarily burdensome. Five provides a balanced, comprehensive framework for ethical judgment and practical decision-making.