Internal Whistleblower System (IWS), Speak-up Line, Hotline, Help Line, whatever you call it, they are essential to a credible compliance program. Transparency International’s (TI’s) just released IWS self-assessment helps organizations identify opportunities for improvement in using best practices and adhering to international standards.
The instrument assesses seven key aspects of an IWS over 130 questions.
- Scope (e.g., who should be able to report and what type of wrongdoing?)
- Roles & responsibilities (including leadership, line managers and the office(s) receiving whistleblower reports)
- Information & communications (What information is provided? Is there a “speak up and listen up” culture?)
- Procedures (e.g., Are there multiple reporting channels? Who takes action? How are actions prioritized? Are records kept and data protected?)
- Support & protection for whistleblowers (Are victims and others also protected? Are violations of whistleblower confidentiality and protection appropriately addressed?)
- Protection of persons concerned
- Continuous monitoring & review (including data collection, updates to the policy, system & processes, as well as transparency and accountability to stakeholders).
As you would expect from TI, the tool is thorough and complete in asking questions that recognize that an effective IWS is much more than a website, email, or phone number.
Read more details and take the self-assessment here
