Should Whistleblowers Be Trained? And how?

Whistleblowers play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability within organizations. They bring to light unethical or illegal practices that might otherwise remain hidden, thereby safeguarding the interests of stakeholders and the public.

However, whistleblowing can be fraught with challenges and risks, both for the whistleblower and for the organization involved. In light of these complexities, the question arises: Should whistleblowers be trained?

The Importance of Training Whistleblowers

Training whistleblowers is vital for several reasons. First and foremost, it equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and report wrongdoing effectively. Many potential whistleblowers may hesitate due to fears of retaliation or concerns about the process itself. Proper training can alleviate these fears by outlining the protections available, the steps involved in reporting, and the potential outcomes.

Moreover, training helps whistleblowers understand their rights and responsibilities in a whistleblowing scenario. They learn how to gather evidence ethically, maintain confidentiality where required, and navigate the reporting channels within their organization or to external authorities.

Source: ACFE. Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report To The Nations

According to ACFE report, tips about fraud are TWICE as likely to come from employees who received fraud awareness training as from employees who did not.

Source: ACFE. Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report To The Nations

As you can see on the graphic above, organizations that PROVIDED fraud awareness training uncovered frauds more than 2.5X TIMES faster than organizations that did not.

Topics to Cover in Whistleblower Training 

1. Legal Protections:

Educate whistleblowers about the legal frameworks and protections available, such as whistleblower laws and policies.

2. Ethical Considerations:

Discuss the ethical implications of whistleblowing, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting and avoiding malicious or frivolous claims.

3. Reporting Procedures:

Provide clear guidance on how to report concerns internally and, if necessary, to external bodies like regulatory agencies or the media.

4. Confidentiality:

Stress the importance of maintaining confidentiality during the whistleblowing process to protect both the whistleblower and the integrity of any investigation.

5. Support Systems:

Inform whistleblowers about support mechanisms, such as legal advice, counselling services, or whistleblower protection programs.

Benefits of Whistleblower Training 

Effective training programs for whistleblowers yield several benefits:

Increased Reporting: 

Properly trained whistleblowers are more likely to come forward with credible concerns, which can lead to the early detection and mitigation of risks.

Not only the quantity will increase, but also the quality of reports. It is more efficient to work with reports that contain all necessary information and evidence, so you can save time and resources.

Set the right expectations:

Some whistleblowers believe that reporting a breach will immediately solve everything. The training will help them understand the actual timeline for processing appeals, the response procedure, and how the reporting channels generally operate.

This will benefit both the whistleblowers and yourself. Ultimately, applicants will not be disappointed if they do not receive a response the next day and will not doubt the effectiveness of the reporting line.

Opportunity to implement a new philosophy:

In order to effectively address whistleblowing, active participation from both the whistleblower and the response team is essential.

The whistleblower should maintain open communication with the response team throughout the investigation, monitor the progress of their report, and provide necessary materials and information to aid the investigation. By doing so, the efficiency and speed of investigations can be significantly improved, leading to a reduction in the number of open cases.

Therefore, by providing training, it is possible to impart this philosophy to potential whistleblowers and foster a proactive environment.

Reduced Retaliation:

Properly trained whistleblowers are better equipped to avoid retaliation, protect themselves to the maximum extent, and minimize the risk of being identified by taking data protection measures.

In the event of retaliation, whistleblowers will be better prepared to handle it and will know how to seek protection under applicable laws.

If whistleblowers know how to protect themselves, they will be less afraid to report.

Overcome skepticism and over-optimism

When you launch whistleblowing channels, whistleblowers are divided into two camps: those who do not believe in their effectiveness and those who think that it is a panacea for all problems in the company.

The training should show skeptics that channels can really work, and over-optimists that not always an issue can be resolved with just one appeal.

Options for training

Any good trainer will provide whistleblowing training in a variety of formats these days. It can be classroom training, online training, eLearning. Choose option that is more suitable for you or combine them.

We want to stop on some tricky questions while you choosing the best option for training:

Should we train all employees at once?

Offline training in small groups is the most effective, but companies don't always have the time and resources for it. 

That's why we suggest beginning with the company's leadership, where you can introduce the fundamental philosophy and principles of whistleblower channels. They can then pass on this information to their respective departments. 

In general, compliance initiatives should originate from the top, and management should have confidence in their necessity and effectiveness.

Is it better to study online or offline?

For teams spread across the country or the world, online training might be the only feasible option.

It's important to remember that online training should offer more than just reading presentation slides.

It should provide an interactive learning experience with case studies, practical tips, and workshop elements.

How to promote channels for appeals during the training?

The primary goal of training is to raise awareness about the whistleblowing channels and instruct participants on how to access them effectively.

It is essential to present and explain the channels in a clear and understandable manner, highlighting their significance and demonstrating their effectiveness. This serves as the best promotion for the channels.

Consider creating promotional materials specifically for the training, such as posters, videos, business cards, and other items to support the hotline.

However, it's important to avoid promoting for the sake of promotion or training for the sake of training; both elements need to be effectively integrated.

Training Internal vs. External Whistleblowers

Training strategies may vary depending on whether the whistleblower is internal (an employee of the organization) or external (such as a contractor, supplier, or concerned member of the public).

Internal Whistleblowers:

Training should be integrated into the organization's compliance and ethics programs. This ensures employees understand the specific reporting channels and procedures within their workplace. Training sessions can be conducted regularly as part of employee onboarding and ongoing professional development.

External Whistleblowers:

External parties who wish to report wrongdoing may require different training approaches. This could involve public awareness campaigns, workshops with stakeholders, or accessible online resources that explain how to report concerns to relevant authorities.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the answer to whether whistleblowers should be trained is a resounding yes. Proper training not only empowers whistleblowers to act effectively, but also strengthens organizational integrity and accountability.

By educating whistleblowers about their rights, responsibilities, and the proper procedures for reporting misconduct, we can foster a culture where ethical behaviour is valued and upheld. This, in turn, benefits not only the organizations themselves but also society as a whole by promoting transparency and deterring unethical practices.