Not getting any misconduct reports in your global organisation? Here’s what’s wrong

The most common barriers to reporting misconduct

Speaking up is not easy – we've heard this a lot. But as an organisation striving to make a positive work environment and adhering to compliance, you know speaking up can lead to valuable outcomes – such as safeguarding your organisational reputation, reducing risks of financial damage, catching misconduct while at early stages and more.

Several factors may deter employees from reporting misconduct at work. That’s why creating an ethical environment where employees can report issues without fear of retaliation is crucial. But where does it often go wrong?

Here are the most common reasons why people are afraid to report misconduct.  

1. Fear of repercussion

Employees often hesitate to report due to the fear of retaliation from peers or superiors, such as exclusion, demotion, or termination.

2. Distrust in resolution

A belief that the company won't take corrective action can discourage reports. This may be due to a history of unresolved complaints or a wider culture of silence.

3. Sense of futile efforts

If employees think reporting won't lead to real change, they might not see the point, especially if previous reports seemed ignored or the response process lacked clarity.

4. Communication hurdles

Language differences can make reporting daunting if employees feel they might not be understood or if there's insufficient support for non-native speakers.

5. Inadequate reporting systems

Inefficient or complex reporting tools, or systems that require lengthy processes, can frustrate employees and dissuade them from coming forward.

Don’t scare away reporters, rather build a speak up culture

Addressing these above issues are essential for cultivating a culture where employees feel confident that raising concerns is both safe and worthwhile. This is what a speak up culture actively addresses, by encouraging voices to come forward.

Additionally, a speak up culture acts as a moral backbone for an organisation to create an ethical work environment where every person can feel comfortable to use their voice when faced with misconduct or wrongdoing.

Don’t know where to begin in designing an effective speak up culture? We got you covered. As advocates of speaking up, and helping organisations do so for over two decades, we have available the secret ingredients for harnessing a successful speak up culture.