Final answer:
The key difference between whistleblowing and reporting to an ECO or ombudsman is who the misconduct is reported to, with whistleblowing involving external entities and usually coming with legal protections for the whistleblower.
Step-by-step explanation:
The greatest difference between whistleblowing and reporting to an ethics and compliance officer (ECO) or ombudsman is who you report misconduct to. Whistleblowing typically involves going outside of an organization's established channels to report misconduct, often to the public or regulatory bodies, and offers legal protection for whistleblowers under various laws, including the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989.
On the other hand, reporting to an ECO or ombudsman usually occurs within the confines of an organization's established procedures for handling complaints and ethical issues, which can provide a more discreet way to address concerns without involving external parties.
Protections for whistleblowers, as implemented by acts such as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012, are crucial for federal employees to safely disclose wrongdoing.
The personal risk for those who challenge organizational misconduct is significant, and without such safeguards, bureaucrats may face severe repercussions, like termination, for speaking out.