Recently, Compliance Podcast Network founder Tom Fox interviewed CEO Dr. Pat Harned on the newest trends report from ECI’s Global Business Ethics Survey® (GBES®); a longitudinal study of ethical trends from the employees’ perspective. In the final episode of the GBES podcast series, Tom Fox and Dr. Harned recapped the findings and discussed what E&C practitioners can do from here.
Dr. Harned and Tom Fox discussed the results regarding workplace ethics found in the GBES. Dr. Harned discussed how High-quality E&C programs, with a focus on upper-level management leading strongly and clearly, as well as education and accountability amongst all employees, can counter the issues of underdeveloped, and thus at-risk, E&C programs found around the world. Assessing these programs and optimizing them is important in keeping an organization safe from liability.
ECI provides guidance based on the trends they found in the 2023 GBES.
- Put in place a High-Quality Ethics & Compliance Program (HQP).
- Focus on managers in an effort to reduce undue pressure.
- Regularly remind employees of the resources that are available to receive reports of suspected misconduct.
- Implement a retaliation prevention program.
- Encourage top managers and supervisors to engage in behaviors that build a strong ethical culture.
- Hold employees at all levels accountable to your organization’s values and standards.
- Assess your organization’s ethics & compliance program, culture, and impact.
“The 2023 ECI Global Business Ethics Survey serves as a wake-up call for organizations to address workplace ethics, retaliation, and whistleblower protection issues. By prioritizing these areas, companies can create a more ethical and supportive work environment, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole. It is crucial to recognize the impact of these issues and take proactive steps to ensure a culture of integrity and accountability within the workplace.” – Tom Fox
By Tom Fox
