In many organizations, employees and stakeholders view the Ethics and Compliance (E & C) team as the “compliance cops” who spend all their time finding ways to mete out punishment and impose stifling regulations that make it harder to transact business. In the best-case scenario, E & C is perceived as a necessary evil that […]
Despite the negative connotations that are often associated with whistleblowing, employees who report misconduct are providing a valuable service to their organizations. Research indicates that whistleblowing is the most effective method for detecting fraud – according to a study conducted by the Association of Fraud Examiners more than 40 percent of fraud incidents are uncovered […]
A merger or acquisition can be a tumultuous event for all parties involved in the transaction which can create a climate for unethical behavior. According to the National Business Ethics Survey, companies that are participating in an M&A or any other form of major restructuring experience a 21.5 percent increase in inappropriate conduct on average. […]
A successful ethics and compliance program requires an organization-wide commitment – particularly at the senior management level. As the Federal Sentencing Guidelines indicate, the organization’s governing members must “exercise reasonable oversight with respect to the implementation and effectiveness” of E&C initiatives. The board of directors plays a vital role in establishing the ethical tone at […]
In a time where many corporations are struggling to maintain or restore stakeholder trust while also seeking ways to enhance their public image, a great deal of emphasis is being placed on organizational ethics. However, even the most carefully crafted and well-intentioned ethics programs are meaningless unless the company makes a sustained effort to integrate […]
An ethics and compliance crisis can, and usually does, occur when an organization least expects it. A crisis can take the form of anything from an allegation of sexual harassment against a top executive to evidence of discriminatory labor practices. It can also result from the inappropriate handling of a serious situation or a serious […]
When we hear of data breaches and other events that impact organizational security, we typically think of malicious acts perpetrated by individuals from the outside. While it’s true that anonymous hackers and cybercriminals pose a significant security threat, the most daunting risks often come from the inside. Current and former employees, third-party contractors, remote workers, […]
Despite taking all the right steps for creating an ethical environment – providing ethics training, developing a code of conduct, implementing a reporting hotline, etc. – organizations are still not immune to inappropriate behavior. According to the most recent National Business Ethics Survey, approximately 41 percent of workers witnessed some form of unethical conduct within […]
The goal of an ethics investigation is to get to the truth – did inappropriate behavior take place, or is the reporter making baseless, unsubstantiated accusations? According to one seasoned investigator, about half of all investigations end up going nowhere because there is not enough evidence to support the claim. The best ethics investigators take […]