WHISTLEBLOWER PROVISIONS
R&C: To what extent are you seeing a rise in the breadth of corporate whistleblowing? What are some of the common types of reports being made?
Goff: We are seeing concerns raised through speak-up channels becoming broader in both nature and origin. Whereas historically reports have typically been alleged bullying, favouritism or minor fraud such as expense abuse, we are increasingly seeing reporters address more substantial and thorny subjects, which include health and safety concerns, undeclared conflicts of interest or personal relationships and intentional financial misstatement. And with the rapid rise of focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG), we are now starting to see a growing number of reports on misreporting in these areas. As reporting channels have become more available, understood and trusted, and society increasingly has the confidence to challenge unethical behaviour even where it has been normalised, we continue to see reports made across a wide breadth of seniority – from the junior warehouse operator to senior management, each of which has their own unique view of behaviours and practices happening around them.
Jul-Sep 2024 Issue
Ernst & Young LLP