Is anonymous whistle-blowing considered acceptable by the NSPE?

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) emphasizes the importance of accountability and transparency in engineering practice. While the NSPE does recognize the role of whistle-blowing in ensuring ethical conduct and public safety, the organization advocates for responsible reporting practices that include the identification of the whistleblower. This is rooted in the belief that open and identified reporting usually leads to more productive outcomes and can facilitate investigations and resolution.

Anonymous whistle-blowing may compromise the ability to fully investigate the claims made, reduce accountability, and potentially hamper the ability to address the reported issues effectively. As a result, the NSPE generally does not support anonymous reports, promoting instead a culture where individuals feel safe to report misconduct while being transparent about their identity. This stance reinforces ethical responsibility among professionals to engage directly and honestly with issues of concern.