What are whistleblower protection laws designed to do?

Whistleblower protection laws are specifically designed to safeguard employees who report illegal or unethical activities within their organization. These laws aim to foster an environment where individuals can speak up about misconduct without the fear of facing retaliation from their employers, such as being fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for their reporting.

By providing such protections, these laws promote transparency and accountability within organizations, ultimately benefiting the public and stakeholders. They empower employees to act as watchdogs, ensuring that unethical practices can be addressed and corrected, which is essential for maintaining professional standards and regulatory compliance.

The focus of these laws is on encouraging ethical behavior and supporting employees who take the courageous step to report wrongdoing, which is the essence of option B. This differs significantly from other choices, which suggest discouraging reporting or limiting information sharing, contrary to the intent of these protective laws.