Promote Internal Whistleblowing and Succeed in Creating a Strong Speak Up Culture

Overview

The Department of Justice updated guidance regarding their evaluations of Corporate Compliance Programs in March 2023: “Prosecutors should assess whether the company’s complaint-handling process includes proactive measures to create a workplace atmosphere without fear of retaliation, appropriate processes for the submission of complaints, and processes to protect whistleblowers.”

This course offers recommendations for employers to consider when developing or augmenting an internal complaint handling process. Organizations benefit when whistleblowers trust the process and choose to promptly report their concerns internally. The measures offered promote a strong speak up culture and align with the Department of Justice's guidance. 

Prerequisites

None

Objectives

• Identify and develop systems and processes to increase the likelihood of internal complaint reporting
• Focus on positive and supportive messaging to whistleblowers 
• Establish protocols for protecting whistleblower identities and confidential information
• Rrovide clear assurances regarding protections from retaliation
• Establish clear timelines for responding, investigating, following up and concluding
• Provide consistent and clear guidance about investigative and communication protocols 

Highlights

• Speak up culture
• Encouraging internal whistleblowing
• Ethical culture
• Internal complaint reporting processes