Ed. Note: This week, leading up to Halloween, I will examine lessons for compliance professionals through the lens of the great Universal Movie Monsters: Frankenstein, Wolfman, Dracula, and The Mummy. Today, we use Lon Chaney’s original film version of The Wolfman.
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Of all the great Universal movie monsters, my favorite is found in the 1941 film The Wolfman. Lon Chaney’s portrayal of Larry Talbot offers more than just a classic horror story about a man who becomes a werewolf. It’s a tale of isolation, fear, and a struggle for survival in the face of an overwhelming and terrifying transformation. In short, it is the most psychological of all the Universal movie monsters. Much like a corporate whistleblower, Talbot finds himself caught in a situation where the truth is a burden, and no one wants to listen. Instead of being understood and supported, he is feared, rejected, and left to fend for himself.
For compliance professionals, The Wolfman provides a vivid metaphor for the journey of whistleblowers. Whistleblowers often find themselves isolated, facing potential retaliation, and struggling to navigate the consequences of their decision to report wrongdoing. In this post, we’ll explore how to create a culture that encourages whistleblowers to come forward, keeps them informed throughout the process, and protects them from retaliation, all through the lens of The Wolfman. We will also assess the 2024 Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (2024 ECCP) and Nicole Argentieri’s commentary on these issues.
Creating a Safe Space: Encouraging Whistleblowers to Come Forward
In The Wolfman, Larry Talbot is plagued by the knowledge of his transformation, but he finds no one willing to help or believe him. He is trapped in his new reality, just as whistleblowers can feel trapped by the knowledge of corporate misconduct. The first step in supporting whistleblowers is creating an environment where they feel safe and encouraged to speak up.
The 2024 ECCP underscores the importance of building a culture where employees feel empowered to raise concerns without fear. It emphasizes the need for companies to proactively encourage internal reporting mechanisms, making it clear that the company values integrity and transparency. Compliance professionals must ensure that reporting channels are available, actively promoted, and trusted.
In her commentary on the 2024 ECCP, Nicole Argentieri highlights that one key element in encouraging whistleblowers is leadership’s tone from the top. Executives and senior management must demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior, ensuring that whistleblowing is accepted and valued. Whistleblowers need to know that their reports will be taken seriously and their concerns will be addressed.
Talbot’s cries for help go unheard in The Wolfman, leading to disastrous consequences. In the corporate world, businesses must avoid this fate by ensuring whistleblowers are not ignored or dismissed. The 2024 ECCP recommends that companies provide multiple, accessible channels for reporting, including anonymous options so that employees feel comfortable coming forward regardless of their circumstances.
Transparency Throughout the Process: Keeping Whistleblowers Informed
Just as Larry Talbot struggles with the unknown and is left in the dark about his fate, whistleblowers often find themselves cut off after making a report. They may need clarification about what’s happening with their complaint, whether it’s being investigated, and the next steps. This lack of communication can discourage future whistleblowers and lead to feelings of abandonment.
The 2024 ECCP stresses the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with whistleblowers throughout the investigation process. Once a report has been made, it is critical to keep whistleblowers informed about the status of their complaint. This does not mean sharing sensitive investigation details but providing regular updates so that the whistleblower knows their concerns are being taken seriously.
Argentieri has echoed this sentiment, noting that one of the most common frustrations whistleblowers face is a lack of transparency after they come forward. She argues that compliance teams must ensure whistleblowers are not wondering what will happen next. A well-managed whistleblower program includes clear communication protocols that keep whistleblowers engaged and reassured.
In The Wolfman, Talbot’s inability to find answers drives him to despair. Businesses must avoid this by ensuring whistleblowers feel supported and heard throughout the process. Compliance officers should regularly touch base with whistleblowers, letting them know that their concerns are being addressed, that their identity is being protected and that appropriate actions are being taken.
Protection from Retaliation: Safeguarding Whistleblowers
One of the central themes in The Wolfman is Larry Talbot’s fear of being hunted and rejected. Similarly, whistleblowers often fear retaliation, whether in the form of termination, demotion, or ostracization. Protecting whistleblowers from retaliation is a legal obligation and a moral imperative that helps foster a culture of compliance and trust.
The 2024 ECCP strongly emphasizes retaliation protections. It advises that companies must have robust policies to prevent retaliation and provide clear avenues for whistleblowers to report any retaliatory behavior. This means more than just having a policy on paper—compliance teams must actively enforce these protections and monitor for any signs of retaliation.
Nicole Argentieri has weighed in on this issue, noting that while many companies claim anti-retaliation policies, enforcement can be lacking. She emphasizes the need for companies to create a system of checks and balances to ensure that retaliation does not occur, particularly in the form of subtle, indirect actions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Retaliation doesn’t always come as a formal firing—it can be a change in duties, exclusion from meetings, or a negative shift in workplace relationships.
In The Wolfman, Talbot becomes a hunted figure, chased down by those who fear and misunderstand him. In the corporate world, whistleblowers must never feel like they are being hunted or targeted for their decision to report misconduct. The ECCP advises companies to protect whistleblowers and offer additional support services, such as counseling, if needed, to help them navigate the emotional strain of coming forward.
Building a Culture of Trust and Integrity
The most important lesson from The Wolfman is the need for trust. Larry Talbot finds himself abandoned and isolated because the people around him refuse to trust his warnings. A strong compliance program must avoid this trap by building a culture of trust and integrity. Employees need to believe that they will be treated fairly, protected, and supported if they come forward with a report.
The 2024 ECCP highlights that trust is the foundation of a successful compliance program. Companies must work to build an environment where whistleblowers are seen as vital contributors to the company’s ethical health. This includes recognizing the courage it takes to come forward and offering praise or acknowledgment for whistleblowers who help protect the company from greater risks.
Argentieri has noted that companies should integrate their whistleblower programs into the broader corporate culture, making whistleblowing a routine and accepted part of the business rather than an extraordinary act of bravery. This normalization of whistleblowing helps to remove the stigma and encourages more employees to speak up when they see something wrong.
Creating a Supportive Whistleblower Program
The Wolfman offers us a powerful analogy for the journey of whistleblowers within a company. Like Larry Talbot, whistleblowers often face fear, isolation, and a lack of support. However, the lessons from The Wolfman, coupled with the guidance from the 2024 ECCP and Nicole Argentieri’s commentary, provide a roadmap for how companies can create a more supportive environment for whistleblowers.
Encouraging whistleblowers starts with creating a culture where employees feel safe and empowered to report misconduct. Keeping them informed throughout the process is essential for maintaining their trust and confidence. Finally, protecting whistleblowers from retaliation ensures that they—and others—continue to feel comfortable raising concerns.
By building a robust and transparent whistleblower program, compliance professionals can help their organizations navigate the complexities of corporate risk, protect their employees, and safeguard the company’s reputation. In doing so, they avoid the tragic fate of The Wolfman and create an environment where the truth is not a burden but a pathway to a stronger, more ethical company.
Join us tomorrow for our final consideration of compliance through the classic Universal Movie Monsters lens as we consider corporate culture and Boris Karloff’s version of The Mummy.
