Whistle-blowing Awareness (Global)

In the state capture report in South Africa whistle-blowers Mzukisu Mnakatse and Sello Qhina made the following remark about whistle-blowing. “Like many who are today called whistle-blowers, we never set out to become whistle-blowers. We were ordinary human beings who knew right from wrong, regular employees who did their job with the utmost care” ~Mzukisu Mnakatse and Sello Qhina ~

With an increase in fraud, it is crucial that companies adopt a whistle-blowing policy. The implementation of the policy, procedures, and most important the safeguarding of whistle-blowers are discussed in this course. It acts as a basis for combatting financial crime in all industries, and provides valuable guidelines, procedures and implementations tactics. This 10-module course covers an introduction, explanation of terminology and scenarios as well as required legal documentation and procedures for implementing whistle-blowing in organisations from A-Z.

• Definition and terms.
• The importance of whistle-blowing.
• Reporting mechanisms.
• Ethical dilemmas and types of misconduct.
• Policies and procedures (code of conduct, laws, etc.).
• The whistle-blowing process – from reporting to investigation and various roles.
• Whistle-blower protection.
• External media communication.
• Building a culture of integrity.
• Continuous learning – a way forward.

The lessons provide knowledge on the topics, based on acquisition. There are discussion topics as activities that can be used for individual learners, team meetings and organisation breakaways. The learner is constantly engaged and required to participate by answering questions based on various case study scenarios. Testing items provide an opportunity to test knowledge on the content.

Who should do this training?

The course is suitable for all companies and organisations that want to combat financial crime in their businesses. Course outline Module One: Introduction

• What’s in it for me?
• Terminology:
  • Corruption
  • Whistle-blowing
  • Legal and regulatory terms
  • Organisational terms
  • Ethical and moral concepts.

Module Two: Define whistle-blowing

• Whistle-blowing defined.
• Types of whistle-blowing.

Module Three: The importance of whistle-blowing

• Transparency and accountability.
• Ethical implications.
• Why report?

Module Four: Reporting mechanisms

• Effectiveness of various reporting mechanisms.
• Proficiency in internal reporting tools.
• Consequences of false reporting.
• The process that follows a whistle-blowing report (investigation process).

Module Five: Ethical dilemmas and different types of misconduct

• Ethical dilemmas and types of misconduct.

Module Six: Whistle-blowing policy and procedures

• Whistle-blower policy.

Module Seven: Whistle-blower protection

• Anti-retaliation laws.
• Safeguarding whistle blowers.
• Rights and responsibilities of whistle-blowers and organisations.
• Cybersecurity to safeguard whistle-blowers from potential digital vulnerabilities.

Module Eight: External media and communication

• External communication and protocol for whistle-blowing.

Module Nine: Build a culture of integrity

• Real-world scenarios.
• Values and the impact on our work.
• Code of conduct.

Module Ten: Continuous learning

• Staying informed.