App to support employees in speaking up

The Institute of Business Ethics has launched a free to download app aimed at overcoming concerns about speaking up in the workplace.

The institute says that 34 percent of employees in New Zealand, who have been aware of misconduct at work, decided not to speak up according to its Ethics at Work survey.

Jane Arnott, an associate and NZ representative of the British based institute says the freedom to raise concerns is a core component of a supportive ethical culture where employees are confident they will be supported to do the right thing.

“Effective speaking up processes also make a valid contribution to risk management by ensuring that concerns are aired and appropriate intervention made before a situation escalates and causes financial or reputational loss.”

Yet, she says that despite increasing focus and investment by management, employees remain tight-lipped.

“The reasons they give in the IBE survey range from a belief that nothing would be done (35 percent); feeling that they might jeopardise their job (33 percent) and a fear that they might alienate themselves from their colleagues.”

Arnott says the new toolkit aims to empower employees by guiding them through the processes and managing their expectations. It has been developed using first-hand experience and understanding of the emotions involved in raising a concern, coupled with IBE’s knowledge of what constitutes good practice for companies receiving those concerns.

“For companies the IBE Speak Up app helps provide insight into what makes an effective speak up procedure and fair investigation process. As well as being free to download it can be tailored to

reflect individual company’s policies and resources.”

Philippa Foster Back CBE, IBE’s director says: “At the IBE we differentiate between whistleblowing externally – which may be considered a last resort – and speak up which aims to achieve internal resolution. If an employee speaks up their concern stands the chance of being resolved before it becomes a bigger problem. We are encouraging a shift in perspective so that employees will truly believe that their concerns will be welcomed and taken seriously. The IBE Speak Up app will support them in having these conversations.”

The timing of the launch comes as the State Services Commission has recently released its submissions and summary report of its review of the Protected Disclosures Act 2000.

A media release from the institute says its Speak Up app is divided into five stages, each providing answers to some common questions along with additional resources.

Each stage prepares an employee when raising a concern, from first noticing a problem and having a conversation through to what to expect if they make a report or if their concern is investigated.

The five stages are: • I have a concern: You’ve noticed something has happened, what are the common worries around speaking up why should you speak up and how do you go about it? • Speaking to someone: How can you prepare to have a conversation, who should you speak to and what happens after that? • Making a report: How can you prepare a report,how do you actually do it and what happens after you report? • An investigation is under way: What are the steps of an investigation, what is your role within that and who will be involved? • After I have spoken up: What is the outcome and what are your and your organisation's ongoing responsibilities?

Elements of the IBE Speak Up App can be customised to allow companies to reflect their own policies, contacts, resources and branding. See https://www.ibe.org.uk/the-ibespeak-up-toolkit/148/49 www.ibe.org.uk