Creating an Effective and Compliant Whistleblowing Policy

An Effective Whistleblowing Policy: Key Characteristics

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A well-designed whistleblowing policy lays the foundation for a successful program that brings tangible benefits to an organisation, both economically and in terms of reputation. Such policies help organisations meet regulatory requirements and foster trust among employees, customers, and regulators. The following are key elements of an effective whistleblowing policy:

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Clear version history: Having a clear version history provides staff and stakeholders with the assurance that the policy is up-to-date and relevant to current regulatory and legal requirements.

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Concise and accessible language: The policy should be written in a language that is clear, consistent, and easily understandable by those it covers.

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Encouraging and supportive tone: The policy should set a tone that is supportive and encouraging to those who raise concerns.

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Clear definitions: The policy should define key terms such as "whistleblowing," "whistleblower," and "wrongdoing."

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Clear scope: The policy should outline the categories of wrongdoing, the people covered by the policy, the jurisdictions it covers, and other relevant organisational policies (such as a Grievance Policy).

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Reporting channels: The policy should provide clear instructions on how to raise concerns and should prominently feature all reporting channels.

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Concern management: The policy should outline how concerns will be managed.

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Protection and support: The policy should describe the protection and support available to those who raise concerns.

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Accessibility: The policy should be easily accessible and not difficult to locate.

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The EU Whistleblowing Directive is being transcribed into local laws, making it important for EU-based companies and organisations with EU operations and staff to have a policy that is up-to-date and covers all local requirements, not just those of the headquarters.

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WislPort offers a 48-hour policy creation service in multiple languages, based on ISO 37002, the international standard for whistleblowing. This service ensures that your policy is compliant with local laws and regulations and is tailored to your organisations specific needs. For more information, please contact us at?[email protected].