Blowing the Whistle Wisely: Twelve Survival Strategies

1. Before taking any irreversible steps, talk to your family or close friends about your decision to blow the whistle.
   
2. Be alert and discreetly attempt to learn of any other witnesses who are upset about the wrongdoing.
   
3. Before formally breaking ranks, consider whether there is any reasonable way to work within the system by going to the first level of authority. If you do decide to break ranks, think carefully about whether you want to "go public" with your concerns or remain an anonymous source. Each strategy has implications: the decision depends on the quantity and quality of your evidence, your ability to camouflage your knowledge of key facts, the risks you are willing to assume, and your willingness to endure intense public scrutiny.
   
4. Develop a plan-such as strategically-timed releases of information to government agencies-so that your employer is reacting to you, instead of vice-versa.
   
5. Maintain good relations with administrative and support staff.
   
6. Before and after you blow the whistle, keep a careful record of events as they unfold. Try to construct a straightforward, factual log of your relevant activities and events on the job, keeping in mind that your employer will have access to your diary if there is a lawsuit.
   
7. Identify and copy all necessary supporting records before drawing any suspicion to your concerns.
   
8. Break the cycle of isolation: research, identify and seek a support network of potential allies, such as elected officials, journalists and activists. The solidarity of key constituencies can be more powerful than the bureaucracy you are challenging.
   
9. Invest the funds to obtain a legal opinion from a competent lawyer.
   
10. Always be on guard not to embellish your charges.
    
11. Engage in whistleblowing initiatives on your own time and with your own resources, not your employer's.

12. Don't wear your cynicism on your sleeve when working with the authorities.