Whistleblowing in Insurance Employees: Ankara Research

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to reveal unethical or illegal behaviors by benefiting from the opinions of insurance employees. In addition, it is aimed to develop some suggestions by explaining the reasons for the insurance employees who perform the whistleblowing behavior and the obstacles in performing the whistleblowing behavior. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study is a phenomenology research, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The research group of the study consists of 15 participants from insurance employees in insurance companies operating in Ankara. In the study, insurance employees participating in the research were determined with the help of the sampling type, which is defined as critical situation sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods. Data were collected by applying face-to-face and telephone interview techniques, in two different ways, with 15 participants from insurance companies operating in the province of Ankara. In the interview technique, open-ended questions were asked. Descriptive analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data in the research. The data were evaluated only within the framework of the research questions asked during the interview process. Findings – As a result of the research, it was learned that although there are unethical or wrong behaviors in insurance companies, these behaviors aren’t disclosed for various reasons. 8 participants participating in the research didn’t perform whistleblowing behavior, while 5 participants did. The other 2 participants didn’t witness any unethical or wrong behavior. Discussion – According to the results, although there are negativities or misapplications in insurance companies, the majority of insurance employees avoid whistleblowing. In this case, problems should be submitted to the competent authorities in order to overcome the existing problems. In addition, it was concluded that there are some obstacles to sharing the ethical and illegal behaviors encountered with the authorities. Authorized units and employees should be informed and supported about whistleblowing.