Like any organisation, charities face issues such as fraud, culture, safeguarding, and other risks. But operating under unique challenges, including resource constraints, funding shortfalls, and staffing shortages can significantly impact the ability to respond effectively. Do you have the right measures in place to handle concerns correctly?
It is well documented that when whistleblowers are not listened to organisations can collapse, livelihoods can be lost, and people can lose their lives. There’s lots of research examining the treatment of whistleblowers when they try to speak up and what employers should do to be better. But what about the bigger cost to society – and in financial terms – the cost to all of us, the taxpayers, when things go wrong and the government has to step in and pick up the pieces?
RUSI launches its new paper looking at the benefits of introducing rewards for whistleblowers in the fight against economic crime. Protect was established to encourage public interest concerns to be raised, investigated and addressed – including issues of bribery, corruption and fraud. For most of those who call our Advice Line, there is no question of rewards, nor does the concept make sense except in circumstances where substantial fines are levied against wrongdoers and collected by enforcement bodies.
The Icelandic artist ODEE (Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson), has put normal life on hold while he awaits the outcome of a lawsuit against him by one of the largest fishing companies in Europe, the Icelandic-based Samherji. The case relates to his artwork which draws attention to what’s known as the #Fishrot scandal, originally brought to light by whistleblower Jóhannes Stefansson. More than 30 publications/media platforms have now covered the story discussing the consequences of artists using their right to freely express themselves and explore social and political issues.
They say things come in threes, and if Labour’s proposals to Make Work Pay go ahead as planned they’ll be merging three critical employment agencies together to create the Fair Work Agency. The new Government says the new agency will have ‘teeth’ to issue fines when employers breach employment issues like failing to pay holiday pay or not paying the entitled minimum wage, which according to Citizens Advice could impact close to 2 million people. And its whistleblowing that could make all the difference.
Whistleblower Debbie shares her experiences of mental health and speaking up: the night before I decided to blow the whistle, the anxiety I felt led to me not sleeping a wink. I knew the next day, I’d be pointing the finger at a colleague, essentially calling her a liar. I had undeniable proof, but even more than that, I knew that if I didn’t act, the life of my elderly, vulnerable client would be irreparably changed.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to ensure the safety of the skies we fly in? The aviation industry is one of the most meticulously regulated sectors, but even giants like Boeing can stumble. The recent whistleblower saga involving Boeing has shone a bright spotlight on the importance of safety culture in aviation.
SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) are a powerful threat to freedom of speech and a free press – affecting whistleblowers and journalists alike. They’re essentially a form of reputation management – used by the powerful and the rich to silence their critics or anyone exposing suspected wrongdoing. This guest blog from the the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, outlines steps you can take if you are targeted by a SLAPP.
As the dust settles on a dramatic election night, thoughts now turn to what a Labour Government will do. With early indications of a planned Employment Bill, and proposals to abolish the qualifying period for unfair dismissal rights and end exploitative zero-hours contracts, it’s clear this government is looking at far reaching reform.
No business is immune from ESG risks, if only because of consumer consciousness, staff pressure, regulators’ and investors’ expectations. How an organisation treats its people, how it impacts and influences its communities and its environment are questions that can’t be ignored anymore: businesses are being held accountable for their social and environmental footprints.
