WhistleBlower Security Blog

Compliance hotline & ethics hotline services offer companies an alternative method to speaking up about conduct wrongdoing when a face-to-face approach is not a preferred first choice. Third-party hotlines offer employees a safe and secure place to speak up and share their thoughts and concerns about any activity, unethical or otherwise, happening in the workplace. Employees are often the eyes and ears to all the activity happening in the workplace, and for the most part, their first instinct is to want to share their knowledge about any wrongs they see.

Do you have a Code of Ethics or a Code of Conduct? What is a Code of Ethics? What is a Code of Conduct? They are, in fact, two unique documents. A Code of Ethics governs decision-making, and a Code of Conduct govern actions. They both represent two common ways that companies self-regulate. They are often associated with large companies, and provide direction to employees and establish a public image of good behavior, both of which benefit businesses of any size.

Compliance culture is a critical part of any organization’s success, regardless of its size, industry, or location. Companies prioritizing compliance programs are better equipped to manage risk, protect their brand and reputation, and maintain trust with clients and relevant stakeholders. Creating a compliance culture takes time and strategy, so we put together a list of tips to help you develop yours.

Most of us now understand that whistleblowing is an act of courage, where an employee reports alleged misconduct or illegal activities. However, for some the result of speaking up is retaliation from the employer and co-workers. For most organizations, retaliation against whistleblowers is a matter of when and not if. This reality highlights the critical need for leaders to implement strategies to manage retaliation allegations while minimizing risk to the organization.

How does an Internal and External Hotline Differ? When a company has implemented a whistleblower helpline, or fraud intake hotline, often times it's the person on the other end of the phone number that is the only contact point for the caller. Not only does the person on the other end of the phone represent the company that has implemented the program, they also represent the the program itself. Because of the nature of subjects, or topics the call center takes care of - handling incoming complaints that can range from common theft all the way up to very serious allegations of fraud and harassment - we've decided to discuss what a successful helpline looks like and compare an outsourced third-party call center to an in-house company operated number.

Whistleblower policies are the pillars of any organization, providing a mechanism for internal control systems and compliance. Without transparency about wrongdoings, a company can fall apart quickly as they face scandal and financial and legal repercussions beyond repair.