What do whistleblower protections aim to do?

Whistleblower protections are designed specifically to safeguard individuals who report illegal or unethical behaviors within an organization. These protections are critical as they ensure that employees can come forward with information about wrongdoing without fear of retaliation, which may include termination, demotion, or harassment. The intent behind these protections is to promote accountability and transparency within organizations by encouraging the reporting of misconduct, thereby fostering an environment where ethical practices can flourish.

The other options do not align with the primary function of whistleblower protections. Freedom to discuss salaries pertains to salary transparency and is a different issue. Prohibiting all forms of workplace communication contradicts the purpose of encouraging open dialogue about ethical concerns. Lastly, encouraging competition among departments relates more to performance and efficiency rather than protecting individuals who report unethical behaviors.