Stay Informed with Our Engaging Ethics and Compliance Blog

Building a Culture of Trust in the Workplace Psychological safety refers to the perception that individuals can express themselves without fear of negative consequences, such as punishment or humiliation, for taking interpersonal risks. In the workplace, it’s a cornerstone of a healthy and thriving workplace culture. When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to share ideas, voice concerns, and contribute to a collaborative and innovative environment.

Every employee deserves a workplace where they can voice concerns without fear of retaliation or judgment. Yet, in many organizations, fear of repercussions or inaction often prevents employees from speaking up. Anonymous HR services bridge this gap by offering a secure, confidential way to address workplace issues. At the heart of these services are ethics hotlines and case management systems. Ethics hotlines act as an open door, allowing employees to report issues such as harassment, discrimination, or unethical behavior anonymously, day or night. The anonymity they provide fosters trust, ensuring employees feel safe sharing their concerns. But reporting is only the first step. Case management systems take the process further by tracking, investigating, and resolving reports in a structured and transparent manner.

In today’s business landscape, ethical operations and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. Compliance hotline services play a crucial role in helping organizations detect, address, and prevent misconduct before it escalates into legal or reputational risks. These hotlines provide employees, customers, and stakeholders with a confidential and secure channel to report concerns related to fraud, discrimination, harassment, or regulatory violations. A well-implemented compliance hotline fosters transparency and trust within an organization. However, simply having a hotline in place is not enough - it must be properly structured, promoted, and managed to be effective. Companies that fail to implement best practices risk low engagement, unreported misconduct, and potential non-compliance with industry regulations.

One of the most powerful tools at an organization's disposal to help grow and nurture a culture of safety, transparency and accountability, is an anonymous whistleblower reporting system. As leadership professionals, especially those in HR, managing and promoting whistleblower reporting intake systems is crucial. You want to increase employee confidence when it comes to speaking up. How do you do that? We'll dive into what you need to know about anonymous whistleblower reporting, and best practices to ensure safety and confidentiality for your employees when they do speak-up.

Whistleblower laws in the U.S. play a critical role in protecting employees who speak out against unethical or illegal activities in their workplace. These laws ensure that employees can report misconduct without fear of retaliation, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. In recent years, the importance of whistleblower protections has gained significant attention as more employees have come forward to expose fraud, corruption, and violations that jeopardize workplace integrity.

Actionable solutions to help businesses create a safer, more transparent environment Whistleblower protection is a critical component of maintaining ethical practices and ensuring transparency within organizations. In California, the importance of safeguarding whistleblowers cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in promoting accountability and upholding the law. With some of the most comprehensive whistleblower protection laws in the United States, California strives to create a secure environment for individuals to report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Despite these protections, significant challenges persist for both employees and employers.

In the modern business landscape, maintaining an ethical workplace is not just a best practice but a necessity for safeguarding a company's integrity, assets, and the overall well-being of its employees. One of the most effective tools in achieving this goal is implementing a whistleblower hotline. Global ethics hotlines play a critical role in promoting a culture of transparency and accountability within the workplace. Choosing a vendor to provide your ethics hotline shouldn’t be a tedious task. You may have questions about how a third-party hotline works. This post will guide you towards choosing a hotline vendor to ensure you build a more ethical and responsible work environment. We'll cover key points that can help you make an informed decision when choosing a hotline provider that aligns with your values and objectives.

How civil is your workplace? In March 2024, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) conducted a survey of just over 1600 employees in the US to understand how often they witness or experience incivility in the workplace. One shocking statistic that came out of the survey is that these employees were witness to, or experienced two thousand acts of incivility in their lives every second. In fact, 66% of these surveyed employees believe that incivility in the workplace reduces productivity. So why is there so much incivility in the workplace?

SB 553 Workplace Violence Prevention California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) No. 553 into law on September 30, 2023. This new law requires nearly all California employers to establish protocols for handling and resolving incidents of workplace violence - bringing with it some very specific requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not include a grace period for implementation.

Fraud causes heartache and a complete disintegration of trust I recently shared a story about a former organization being scammed and how that series of events affected my passion for speaking up. I have another story that is even more harrowing as it involved a long term and trusted employee who took it upon himself to run a second set of books within the organization - for years.

Fraud can strike when you least expect it. Here's our story... This is the true story of one of WhistleBlower Security's previous sister companies. When I started WhistleBlower Security so many years ago, little did I realize that I was about to discover that I had been working for a business that was in the process of being scammed. The irony of this still sits with me to this day and I think drives some of my passion and commitment to ensuring employees have options to speak up.

Trust and support should not be a limited workplace commodity Many employees feel that trust and support given out by leadership is hard to come by. In their organization there is a convinced view that many of the decisions that are made are unjust. This sentiment of workplace injustice can breed employee dissatisfaction and disempowerment, hindering collaboration and productivity. When employees believe that trust and support in the workplace is genuinely provided, this crucial aspect of a workplace culture will help form the bedrock of a positive workplace environment that encourages productivity, collaboration, and overall well-being. When employees feel trusted and supported by colleagues and leadership, they are more likely to be better engaged in their job duties, and they will feel encouraged to contribute new and creative ideas.

Fostering a psychologically safe workplace culture is crucial Today's rapidly evolving workplace landscape is depending more and more on organizations building a culture of psychological safety into their very core operations. The workplace is built on a variety of diverse people, cultures, personalities, ideas and challenges, so it goes without saying that creating a believably safe environment for employees to prosper is the linchpin for allowing them to unleash their full potential. An environment where all individuals feel empowered to speak-up, raise concerns, and challenge the status quo without fear of any type of judgment, is an environment prepared to harness the collective intelligence and creativity of the workforce to drive innovation and solve problems.

Whistleblower hotlines connect employees to management A whistleblower hotline is an important method of connecting your employees with management in order to gain a holistic understanding of a company's workplace culture. In the past, the word 'whistleblower' had many negative connotations associated with it. The word would be associated with snitch, rat, traitor. The list went on. Essentially, whistleblowers were considered a person nobody wanted to be associated with. There may still be a little noise or confusion around the word, but generally, society understands that whistleblowers play an important role in keeping a company and its management accountable for proper and safe business conduct.

Complexities of Fraud Detection in Not-for-Profit Organizations Within communities, the not-for-profit organization stands as a pillar of hope, aiming to make a positive impact on it's community, and society. These entities are generally driven by a commitment to social causes and the pursuit of good. However, this can often be overshadowed by misconduct happening within the organization. Detecting fraud within not-for-profits can be challenging.

Today's fast-paced and regulated business world requires a strong culture of compliance. This is crucial for organizations to maintain ethical standards and mitigate risks. This pillar page will explore the power of whistleblowers, the role of ethics hotlines, and strategies for developing a culture of compliance. By embracing transparency and empowering individuals to speak-up, companies can enhance their operational efficiency, improve ethics, and foster a stronger organizational culture.

Larger organizations understand the crucial role that whistleblower hotlines play within their business structure. Those that are publicly traded are mandated to have a system in place for the receipt of whistleblower complaints. But many smaller organization may not understand just how crucial a role whistleblower hotlines play in promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. There are several misconceptions surrounding whistleblowing, particularly when it comes to small businesses. This blog post debunks six common myths smaller businesses have about whistleblowing and will highlight the important role hotlines play in fostering a supportive environment for whistleblowers.

Consider hiring a whistleblower Whistleblowers have often been placed in a category of 'trouble makers' - those who stir up trouble and cause inconveniences for companies. Yet, we have shifted our perceptions of whistleblowers considerably, to the point where companies are beginning to (and many have) recognize the value that whistleblowers bring to the table. This post will explore reasons why companies should consider hiring a whistleblower. These are words that were not typically spoken together in the past. Let's change the narrative. Embracing transparency and empowering individuals who speak-up can lead to a stronger organizational culture, improved ethics, and enhanced operational efficiency.

In today's fast-paced business world, it's becoming increasingly important for organizations to maintain ethical standards and practices. However, even with the best intentions, it can be difficult for businesses to identify and address ethical issues that may arise within the company. This is where ethics hotlines come in — providing a safe and confidential platform for employees to report any ethical concerns.

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.

What is a Whistleblower Helpline? FAQs The term whistleblowing has been part of our lingo for many years. Previous connotations of the word would include snitch, rat, tattle tale. Any variation of what some would consider a person who wants to get someone else in trouble by volunteering information about that person of a sensitive or illegal nature. Today, many businesses may shy away from a 'whistleblower hotline' due to the perception that the very word may still invoke some negative connotations.

Scandals come in various magnitudes and can plague an organization’s reputation, leading to severe legal and financial consequences. As businesses increasingly compete in the global market, new risks can arise with different stakeholders that must be identified and managed appropriately. Let's explore some anti-corruption compliance best practices to ensure that your company takes a strong stance against misconduct to avoid detrimental repercussions.

How robust are your policies and procedures? As innovations and contemporary ideals push companies to become even greater than they already are, the tools needed to complete these possibilities are already within reach. Proven policies and comprehensive procedures build the foundation of various industries, outlining the fabric of what is required to succeed. These methods handle everything from day-to-day operations to the treatment of irregularities, giving employees the essentials needed to fulfill their jobs and bolster the companies they work for.

Quiet Quitting: Causes, Impact, and Strategies for Employers Quiet quitting may have employers a little worried about their company's culture, and more than a little motivated to do something about it. The reality is, the older generation is leaving the workplace and being replaced with a younger generation with a different set of principles, expectations, wants and needs. The latest reality check to many businesses is this concept of 'quietly quitting'. Originally coined at a Texas A&M economics symposium on diminishing ambitions in Venezuela on September 17th 2009 by Economist Mark Boldger, it's now a term we see everywhere.

Do men get the same level of scrutiny as women? There are 7.8 billion inhabitants on Earth and women are the majority. Yet each day brings a new fight, big or small, to the daily agenda. Women have always had to fight a little bit harder than their male counterparts to achieve equality when it comes to wages, perceptions, advantages, opportunities, etc. We've been fighting this fight for hundreds of years. But the recent ousting of one of the most recognized faces in Canadian television due to the colour of her hair, lit a renewed fire under those who continue to fight for women's equality and empowerment.

Economic downturns create workplace misconduct If you haven't been to a gas station lately to fill up your vehicle, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. For those of us needing to fill up our vehicles, it's definitely hitting us harder in the wallet. Have you noticed how much quicker the dollar amount gauge moves when pumping gas (and how little is actually going in). Let's not talk about the price of avocadoes either. My favourite fruit has become a little too expensive.

The mining industry is rife with safety issues, creating a considerable cause for concern for both workers and mining companies alike. With awareness, regular safety training and the right safety precautions in place, mining can become a relatively safe industry. As companies across Canada work to abolish safety issues in the mining industry, there's still plenty of room for improvement.

Psychological injuries are a growing concern for employers Employers today are working hard to provide healthy workspaces where stress is kept to a minimum. Remaining aware of situations that can cause injury, psychological or physical, is the essential first step to preventing them in the future.

Making mistakes at work is a natural part of the learning process. But it can be stressful and challenging to navigate. Some mistakes may have minor consequences, and others can have more significant impacts on the organization and those involved. How we respond to mistakes is critical, both as individuals and as a team. Approaching mistakes with a mindset that is open to growth and learning, can help us not only recover from the mistake but also grow and improve from the experience. In this context, it is essential to understand how leaders can help their teams handle mistakes constructively and learn from them.

Are you considering implementing a whistleblower hotline? Why should a company implement a whistleblower hotline? How to Implement a Whistleblower Hotline at Your Company Internally operated or third-party operated? Tone from the top Multiple reporting methods Anonymity to whistleblowers Anti-retaliation policy How to eliminate retaliation Educate all stakeholders Evaluate, test, audit

Transform governance risk and compliance into an integrated risk management solution What is Integrated Risk Management? Why Do Organizations Need Integrated Risk Management? Benefits of Integrated Risk Management What is An Integrated Risk Management Framework How to Build an Effective IRM Framework How Can an IRM Process Be Implemented by an Organization Successfully? Improved Performance Variables and Gains More Effective Opportunity and Performance Assessments Quicker, Better-Informed Risk Identification, Isolation, and Mitigation Optimal Resource Allocation and Streamlined Deployments Essential Integrated Governance of Risk Management and Compliance How Integrated Risk Management Software Benefits Businesses

Encourage employees to blow the whistle A corporate whistleblower compliance program is a critical step to ensuring an organization is conducting ethical business in today’s highly regulated business environment. An effective whistleblower program is an important part of an organization’s internal controls process and is an important component to detecting and preventing ethical violations.

Adopt the right techniques to optimize how your Board gets along and gets things done as a team Steering the ship, so to speak, is no easy feat as the captain or a senior-ranking officer. The same applies to those in leadership and executive positions. We should always strive to learn, look for solutions rather than problems, and treat others the way we’d want to be treated. However, what are some genuinely top-notch techniques for board leadership specifically?

A happy workplace is a healthy one with an ethically sustainable culture However, that’s not always the case. There are several red flags to keep an eye – and ear – out for which, if left unaddressed or enabled to fester, can effectively poison your work environment. We’ve reached out to five individuals in leadership positions to determine which are the most significant warning signs of all. Today, through their responses, let’s explore them in more detail.

No more excuses for not having an ethics helpline. Six myths debunked! 6 Whistleblower helpline myths debunked We don't have fraud, abuse, or other misconduct in our company We have an open-door policy and employees can bring concerns to their supervisors My organization is small, we don't need a helpline? A helpline will be abused by frivolous reports My company can't afford to implement a helpline We have an internally run speak-up program and it's not generating feedback so why outsource? COVID has had a significant impact on businesses globally. It has lead to a differentiation in how employees work and how organizations operate compared to pre-pandemic times. We certainly can't expect that employees' perceptions of their workplace and the behaviours that take place in their workplace wouldn't be impacted by the unusual circumstances that are far removed from regular working operations.

Mitigate risk with an effective compliance program 7 Elements of an Effective Compliance Program What is a Compliance Program? Who is Responsible for Compliance? What is the Purpose of a Corporate Compliance Program? What Will the Scope of a Compliance Program Depend On? What are the Seven Elements of an Effective Compliance Program? 7 Elements of an Effective Compliance Program Want to build a culture of integrity in your organization? Sure you do. Here's how: effective ethics and compliance programs. Establishing compliant and ethical behaviour among the masses (regulating against non-compliance) is a big step in the fight against fraud and abuse. All organizations have their own unique plan in the running of their businesses and achieving success. However, there's a similar foundation that sets the base of any effective program in any industry.

How can your business direct it's focus to enabling ethical performance? Acting ethically in the workplace is about more than protecting your bottom line. Ethical performance protects your reputation and makes you an appealing choice for new hires. All too often, however, businesses find themselves splashed across the media for irresponsible and destructive behaviour.

Ethical Violations in the Healthcare Industry Ethical Violations in the Healthcare Industry Negligence and Malpractice Digitalizing Patient Data Patient Confidentiality 2 Ways to Prevent Ethical Healthcare Issues Do a System Redesign Respect the Multidisciplinary Team If you’ve ever watched a hospital drama, you’ll be familiar with the host of ethical dilemmas and grey areas that doctors navigate every day in the real world. Health care workers who fail to address these dilemmas accurately can find themselves in hot water fast, and hospitals and clinics become targets of media criticism, lawsuits, and investigations. Stay one step ahead. Here are three examples of ethical healthcare issues, and two ways you can stop them.

Good corporate governance protects employees through honest actions If you're building or running a business, you want to make sure you have good corporate governance policies in place to avoid ethical conundrums that can break your business. Corporate governance ensures that all stakeholders in the company follow the rules and that each decision is made with the organization’s wellbeing in mind.

Enhance your GRC and minimize risk. Every organization is responsible for putting the proper governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) measures in place to ensure the business can successfully manage compliance with regulations and internal policies. In order to address these needs, businesses require proper risk management, document management, audit management, reporting, and analytical measures that can guarantee effective GRC exists companywide.

Retaliation is a true fear for many who just want to speak-up about wrongdoing A business that welcomes open and honest feedback from employees who are able to speak-up about wrongdoing, can root out issues and fix them. This is a business that will thrive. All too often, people who point to suspicious behaviours, possibly illegal activity, or other issues that could devastate a company, are punished for their efforts.

Every employee should feel like they belong and are accepted in the workplace As a business owner, it is your responsibility to build a foundation for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Learn what you are responsible for and why it’s so important in today’s business arena.

Corporate Culture Plays a Role in Whistleblowing and Your ESG Criteria Whistleblowing is the disclosure or reporting of wrongdoing via mechanisms that employees, clients, and suppliers use to share information on activities that violate a company’s code of ethics, legal and regulatory requirements or international human rights standards.

Create a speak-up culture with a whistleblower hotline Taking steps to minimize the risk of fraud and workplace misconduct is important for any organization. That’s why whistleblower reporting tools are becoming so fundamental for many companies. Such tools serve as an easy way for employees to tip off management about unethical practices and misconduct in the workplace without fear or repercussion, meaning it can help to uncover any wrongdoing or illegal behaviour. This can protect your reputation and bottom line.

When running a business, you are responsible for the company’s accountability and transparency. When you’re at the helm, you’re not only responsible for yourself but for your employees too, and without proper oversight and ethics guidelines, you could all find yourself in hot water. That’s why when you’re setting up a business it’s important to implement corporate governance practices. We asked 7 industry experts about their best governance practices and this is what they said.

Remember the tale of the boy who cried wolf? How do you handle a situation where an employee keeps making the same whistleblower report over and over? Your investigation team does their due diligence with each report then closes each report with the conclusion that the reported concern is not substantiated, or there was no cause found. Yet the same employee keeps making the same report over and over.

Increase employee confidence with a speak up culture A speak-up culture is a workplace culture that values and encourages employees to express their fears, provide their feedback, ask questions, raise concerns, and make suggestions without fear of retaliation or any other kind of harm resulting from speaking up.

Business ethics and corporate social responsibility in action Business ethics and corporate social responsibility have never been more important for attracting and retaining top-tier employees and a loyal customer following. Although these two terms are often confused as having similar meanings, they actually vary quite a bit. Here, we’ll explain the difference and why both are essential for any successful company today.

Compliance solutions recognize potential patterns and threats What is Compliance in Business? Business Compliance Definition Business Compliance Requirements Risk Management System Continuous Controls Monitoring and Compliance Reporting GDPR Compliance Software Policy Management Environmental, Health and Safety Management Software Whistleblowing Software Compliance Case Management Conclusion/About Whistleblower Security What is Compliance in Business? Every industry has some form of compliance protocols that they need to follow to keep their business information safe while ensuring they meet industry standards. This could include legal, security, industry and other regulatory requirements. Lack of adhering to these rules can result in hefty fines and even jail time. That’s why organizations need to start implementing compliance management solutions that can help them meet their regulatory requirements.

How to handle a toxic work environment Dealing with a toxic environment, whether in your personal life or at work, is never easy. Workplace toxicity can leave employees feeling unproductive, overlooked, and drained at the end of the day. Negativity at work can present itself in many ways, and it’s important to recognize the signs so that you can solve the problem or look for opportunities elsewhere.

Canada is dead last for whistleblower protection A report released earlier this month by the Government Accountability Project and the International Bar Association found Canada ranked dead last among 37 countries recently surveyed for their whistleblower protection laws. It’s not a good look for Canada.

Fraud Recovery: 10 Techniques for Instant Success! No organization wants to wake up to find itself the center of unexpected liability or unwelcomed scrutiny. That vulnerability is more significant with the increased occupational fraud stimulated by today's challenging economy, especially if your resources are stretched thin. Fraud costs everyone more if ignored, and your organization is not immune from it.

EU Whistleblower Directive - Deadline Is Getting Closer! What does your company need to know about the European Whistleblowing Directive?

What is Corporate Governance? Corporate governance is a system that enforces practices, rules, and processes throughout an organization. It ensures that all stakeholders in the establishment follow the rules and that each decision is made with the organization’s well-being in mind. Good corporate governance protects employees through honest actions.

Corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, helps keep organizations socially liable Through this practice, companies can boost their brand image while giving back to society. Selecting a mission that aligns with what your company stands for can bring your employees closer, boost spirits, and ultimately create a more positive work environment. We turned to business professionals to get advice on how to correctly improve corporate social responsibility and this is what they said:

A Code of Ethics should properly steer all business decisions in the right direction Whether you have a team of two or two thousand employees, a Code of Ethics is imperative to maintaining a professional and productive work environment. A company’s Code of Ethics is most effective when it clearly communicates company values and when measures are in place to hold employees accountable.

Regardless of the industry, unethical behaviour and illegal activity occur in the workplace every day Unethical behaviour greatly diminishes employee morale and business integrity. From fraud to discrimination to privacy breaches, there are many areas where misconduct takes place. Unethical behaviour in the workplace has also notably been on the rise with the events of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked a group of business professionals about the most common ethical concerns in businesses today and this is what they said:

When it comes to facilitating productivity and achieving corporate goals, effective communication is the key to success. Whether you work for a small startup or multi-level conglomerate, transparent communication both within and across teams and departments is imperative. In addition, with the recent shift to remote work environments, communication has never been more important. Not only does open communication establish stronger relationships among employees but it also creates a stronger organization as a whole. We asked 8 leaders how companies can improve their corporate communication and this is what they said:

Ethical Decisions Ensure That Everyone's Best Interests Are Protected An ethics reporting system is such a simple and cost-effective way for businesses to protect themselves from employee misconduct. Every day we hear stories related to frauds committed in the workplace. In the vast majority of cases there is someone who was privy to the impropriety, didn't necessarily benefit from it, yet never reported it.

The Wharton administration is considering establishing a hotline for whistleblowers to report corruption and fraud in city government, officials told a City Council committee this morning.