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incident-management

Key Pillars of Whistleblowing Compliance 

Whistleblowing compliance is one of the most recognized pillars of compliance programs because every employee, regardless of their familiarity with the compliance process, can relate to the need to speak up about wrongdoing. Yet, as straightforward as it may sound, a robust speak-up culture can be difficult to build and nurture without effective frameworks in place. To establish a strong whistleblowing compliance program, you need:

Clear Whistleblowing Policies

Establish clear policies that define reportable misconduct and make them easily accessible to everyone, both inside and outside your organization. This transparency demonstrates your commitment to addressing misconduct and encourages employees to speak up.

Training and Awareness

A whistleblowing program is ineffective if employees aren't aware of it. Ensure all employees know where and how to report concerns when the need arises.

Safe Reporting Channels

Offer options for anonymous reporting to encourage more individuals to come forward without fear of retribution, especially when reports involve serious allegations.

Protection Against Retaliation

Implement policies and procedures that effectively protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

Accessible Intake Methods

For large global organizations, accommodate different regions, work environments, languages, and varying accessibility needs to ensure inclusivity and reach.

Account for Regional Differences

Adapt your program to comply with varying regulatory requirements across geographies, such as differing stances on anonymous reporting.

Prompt Case Follow-Up

Acknowledge and investigate all reports promptly and impartially, following an established process to handle each report with the care it deserves.

Transparency in Reporting

Nothing undermines a speak-up culture more than inaction or the perception of inaction. Make the process transparent by clearly communicating how reports are handled and expected outcomes.

Comprehensive Documentation

Maintain records of reports and related activities to demonstrate compliance efforts, facilitate audits, and ensure program defensibility.

Connect Insights 

Use whistleblower reports to identify gaps in your compliance program. Leverage these insights to improve policies, evolve procedures, and enhance overall program effectiveness.

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Challenges to effective whistleblowing programs 

Compliance teams face numerous challenges in establishing a successful whistleblowing program. Limited resources for investigating reports quickly and thoroughly can undermine trust in the program, making employees hesitant to report violations. This reluctance can leave the business vulnerable to significant risks.

At the same time, without an automated triage system, misuse of whistleblowing channels can overwhelm already stretched compliance teams.

Having a strong whistleblowing program is important and compliance teams deserve better.

Better whistleblowing compliance programs with GAN Integrity

Fortunately, with the right resources, technology, and support, you can establish highly effective and safe whistleblowing programs. That’s why leading organizations around the world rely on GAN Integrity. We help you:

See everything

  • Centralize whistleblower reports: Maintain an overview of all whistleblower reports and related cases in one centralized platform, whether they're submitted online, via hotline, or in person.
  • Easy reporting: Use embedded and customizable dashboards for easy reporting on program results. A unified platform connects data from your whistleblowing program and other compliance areas, providing insights that standalone solutions cannot offer.
  • Transparency and documentation: An integrated, automated audit log ensures every report and related activity is automatically recorded and available for future reference.
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Adapt to anything

  • Adaptable solutions: Customize your intake process to meet your unique organizational needs and gather the necessary data points for effective incident management.
  • Regulatory compliance: Use dynamic intake forms and flexible workflows to meet regional regulatory requirements.
  • Dynamic triage: Implement business rules to manage the triage process, ensuring the right person handles the right case. Conditional workflow logic and role-based access controls protect case data and whistleblower identities.

Get all the help you need

  • Dedicated support: With hands-on support and account management, you can design, implement, and evolve the program to meet both current and future needs.
  • Integrated campaigns: Keep your employees engaged, informed, and trained with integrated policy and training campaigns on a single platform.
  • Safe and engaging environment: The platform is designed to provide intuitive and secure interactions, ensuring employees feel heard when engaging with your whistleblowing program.
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Our Products and Solutions

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Gifts and Entertainment

Manage gifts and entertainment disclosures with an easy to use, configurable platform. Capabilities include:

  • Flexible processes:  Adapt disclosure intake forms and workflows to your business processes.
  • Campaign management: Set up campaigns to inform and engage employees in your disclosure program.
  • Third-party risk integration: Track gifts and entertainment disclosures against third parties and suppliers for a holistic view of risk.

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GAN Integrity Gifts & Entertainment

The GAN Integrity Platform means all your compliance and ethics programs can be managed in one place - now that's better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a whistleblower program?
A whistleblower program is a structured system within an organization that enables employees and other stakeholders to report misconduct, unethical behavior, or illegal activities without fear of retaliation. It typically includes clear policies, safe reporting channels, protection against retaliation, and processes for prompt investigation and follow-up of reported issues.
Whistleblowing compliance is not only a best practice but also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. In the United States, for example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act mandates that publicly traded companies establish procedures for employees to report suspected fraud anonymously, while in the European Union, various regulations require organizations to implement effective whistleblower mechanisms.
A whistleblower in compliance is an individual who reports misconduct, wrongdoing, or unethical behavior within an organization to those who have the power to take corrective action. Whistleblowing is a crucial pillar of compliance programs, as it allows employees and other stakeholders to speak up about issues that may otherwise go undetected, helping organizations address problems before they escalate and potentially cause significant harm.

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