Our Focus
As US and Global agencies strengthen whistleblower protections, retaliation fears continue to rise and spill into employee surveys. Fear of retaliation suppresses good faith internal reporting while advancing a toxic culture.
Employees, who fear retaliation, may ignore wrongdoing entirely or may choose to report externally. Policy edicts and conventional compliance training are insufficient safeguards against retaliation. Organizations need to develop abatement plans based upon their culture’s retaliation risk.
Gauge the level of retaliation risk within their organizations using the seven indicators as a guide.
Based upon the indicators, determine the data points to capture for benchmarking and level of response needed.
Respond with calibrated monitoring activities, targeted training; and, expanded communication plans with known whistleblowers.
Encourage continuing dialog with those individuals who raise ethics and policy matters and respond to any concerns of retaliation.