Author: Jill Gormley, Strong and Clear Communications

Whistleblowers are critical to an employer's safe and effective operation, because they illuminate problems in the workplace and among the workforce. If an employer creates a culture in which whistleblowers are empowered to come forward and present their complaints internally, and are protected once they have done so, the employer may avert a possible report to an outside regulatory agency and a resulting enforcement investigation. Part of creating that culture is helping the reporting employee to feel supported, protected and respected while a complaint is being investigated.