RSS feedsThe concept of encouraging employees to do the right thing, to speak up or talk openly is not new.
Yet in today’s age of corporate social responsibility and political correctness, a whistleblower is all too often frowned upon or ostracised in the workplace.
They may become the subject of an investigation, face disciplinary action or the sack. The majority of whistleblowers are adversely affected by their actions.
As finances tighten there can be little doubt that instances of fraud will increase. At the lowest end of the spectrum employees may take opportunities to add a little extra on to blank taxi receipts, submit duplicate invoices or claim for personal mileage. At the higher end of the spectrum theft of data may occur, books may be cooked and bogus suppliers set up.
Now, more than ever, companies need to protect themselves and their employees by encouraging whistleblowers to come forward.
With rising fuel prices, transport costs and household bills, larger numbers of the UK population will feel exposed to financial risk if they put their ‘head above the parapet’ and blow the whistle.
The concept of whistleblowing clearly needs to be embedded within the company’s culture. Most companies will have a whistleblowing policy but this will be ineffective unless the chief executive and the rest of the board and senior management are seen to support the policy.
It is time for a radical re-think on the subject. Such changes may not be enough and a ‘carrot’ or ‘stick’ approach may now be required.
Some more forward-thinking companies are already tackling this problem and are moving away from a voluntary disclosure policy. Their codes of conduct are being amended so that every employee has a duty to report malpractice in the workplace irrespective of their role or position within the company. Failure to do so is a potential disciplinary offence.
A reward of some sort might also be effective in encouraging whistleblowers to come forward, although neither of these options is particularly ‘British’.
Whistleblowing is one of the most important tools in the armoury in combating the threats that businesses face from the menace of fraud. The more who come forward, the sooner that threat will be countered.
Andrew Durant is a managing director in Navigant
Navigantconsulting.co.uk
