Whistleblowing from Taboo to Trend!
The journey of whistleblowing in the Middle East and Africa is quite adventurous, full of twists and turns and discoveries around the alleys of the corporate culture in our region.
Turning corporate whistleblowing into a positive rather than a negative stigma requires a comprehensive approach that involves a combination of legal protections, cultural shifts and organizational changes.
Here is one “the chicken or the egg” dilemma!
Where do we start??
The implementation of whistleblowing as a mandate in Middle Eastern countries can vary depending on various factors, including the political, legal, and cultural context of each country.
Only 6 out of 54 African countries have passed laws designed to protect whistleblowers, according to the UN Organization on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). But even then, these laws often only exist on paper.
It's worth mentioning that cultural factors and the perception of whistleblowing may influence the pace of implementation in some countries. In some cases, it may take time to build awareness, educate stakeholders, and foster the necessary cultural shifts to fully embrace whistleblowing as a positive and necessary mechanism.
There are standard and achievable necessary steps that organizations can take towards creating an environment where whistleblowing is seen as a positive and necessary mechanism for uncovering and addressing wrongdoing, rather than a negative stigma or a taboo.
Develop and enforce robust legal protections for whistleblowers. Ensure that laws are in place to safeguard whistleblowers from retaliation and provide them with avenues to report misconduct without fear of repercussions. These laws should include provisions for anonymous reporting and monetary rewards for whistleblowers in certain cases. (But that’s another article for another day)
“The hallmark of effective implementation of a compliance program is the establishment of incentives for compliance and disincentives for non-compliance.” —US Department of Justice, Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs
2. Awareness and Education:
?Raise awareness about the importance of whistleblowing and its potential positive impact on organizations and society. Educate employees, managers, and executives about the value of reporting unethical behavior and the potential benefits of addressing issues internally rather than externally. By utilizing and capitalizing on your internal communications and creative marketing strategies, you can reach your stakeholders with the right positioning of your message.
3.Ethical Culture:?
Foster an ethical culture within organizations that encourages open communication and transparency. Establish a code of conduct that emphasizes integrity, accountability, and responsible business practices. Encourage ethical decision-making and create an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up about misconduct.
4.?Anonymous Third-Party Reporting Channels:
?Implement anonymous reporting channels to protect whistleblowers' identities and provide them with a safe and secure platform to report concerns. This helps reduce the fear of retaliation and encourages more people to come forward with information.?
This should be established by external or independent third parties which helps in building public trust and confidence in the process.?
You can book a demo with our team and find out more about iVoiceUp anonymous reporting methods through: iVoiceUp | Request a Demo Page
“There would have not been multi-billion dollar compliance software companies if building was the better option” said Punit Renjen, CEO Deloitte?
5. Whistleblower Support:?
Establish support mechanisms for whistleblowers, such as legal assistance, counseling services, and financial support. Ensure that employees who report wrongdoing are protected from retaliation and have access to resources that can help them navigate the process.This is essential to keep the value of trust and transparency. However, there needs to be measured consequences for the fake cases whose reporters should be held accountable after a thorough investigation backed up with evidence which leads to the next step…
??????6. Investigation, Accountability and Recognition:
Develop a robust system for investigating whistleblower reports promptly and impartially. Ensure that appropriate actions are taken against those responsible for misconduct. Communicate the outcomes of investigations to demonstrate that the organization takes whistleblowing seriously and values accountability.
Recognize and reward whistleblowers for their contributions in exposing misconduct. Publicly acknowledge their efforts and highlight the positive changes that have resulted from their actions. This helps shift the perception of whistleblowing as a negative act and encourages others to step forward.
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Over the past decade, there has been an exponential rise in social movements that have shed the light on issues of gender equality, racial justice, human and gender rights. These movements have sparked widespread conversations, challenged societal norms, and advocated for change on a global scale.?
The "Me Too" movement, which gained momentum in 2017 following allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, empowered survivors of harassment to share their stories. It sparked a global reckoning with the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct across industries and led to the downfall of powerful individuals.?
Similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013 after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's killer, gained significant traction in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. It highlighted systemic racism, police brutality, and racial injustice, leading to widespread protests and calls for police reform. These movements have challenged power structures, amplified marginalized voices, and catalyzed important conversations about social justice and equality. They have demonstrated the power of collective action, social media, and grassroots organizing in effecting meaningful change.
When it comes to the corporate culture, compliance and whistleblowing we are still way behind hidden under facades of corruption or fear of retaliation however, there is a global movement and it is happening sooner or later, a movement where having a voice and speaking up the truth cannot just save millions of dollars but as well as it saves lives. It is time to focus on our voices at work. Each Voice Matters.