With corporate behaviour under renewed scrutiny as explanations are sought for the financial crisis, revelations have come to the surface about internal critics who warned about their employers’ activities but were ignored or, worse, sacked.

The UK’s Serious Fraud Office has now established a whistleblowers’ helpline for City workers worried about their employers. Should whistleblowing be encouraged? And if so, how can a company take note of grievances without encouraging malicious or groundless complaint that could threaten the company’s reputation?