Groundbreaking whistleblower research project extended

THE second stage of the ground breaking research project Whistle While They Work, which is developing a strong information base on whistleblowing practices to inform protection law, has been strongly endorsed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) which created the initial report..

The Strength of Whistleblowing Processes report, undertaken by a multi-university team led by Griffith University professor AJ Brown, and funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), follows on from the ASIC-sponsored Whistling While They Work report. 

The Strength of Whistleblowing Processes report identifies the factors that influence good and bad responses to whistleblowing across a wide range of institutions.

This unique research project is the first to systematically compare the levels, responses and outcomes of whistleblowing in multiple organisations – across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors – and across international boundaries

ASIC Commissioner John Price said the project would provide a clearer basis for evaluation and improvement in organisational procedures, better public policy, and more informed approaches to the reform or introduction of whistleblower protection laws.

“The release of the new results provides an important new picture of where the strengths and weaknesses lie in current whistleblowing processes,” Mr Price said.

'This demonstrates firstly, the value of the project and of participating in it, but also why it's important that industry take a proactive approach to helping identify and adopt best practice, so that improvements in this area are well-informed and well-targeted on what's needed.”

This research project comes at a very important time and will provide a strong rationale for both industry and regulators to understand the importance of effective whistleblower programs within their workplaces.

“It will also progress our understanding of how these programs should be effectively embedded in large organisations,” Mr Price said.

“The ability for staff to speak up to its leaders and identify wrongdoing is a feature a strong organisational culture, including whistleblowers being heard, considered and appropriately dealt with.”

ASIC is officially encouraging Australian company officers and directors “to support this groundbreaking research”.

www.asic.gov.au

 

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