Compliance Man is back for a new season! Get ready for a EuroTrip with Tom Fox and Tim Khasanov-Batirov on their hit podcast, Compliance Man! In this episode, Compliance Man podcast hosts, Tom Fox, and Tim Khasanov-Batirov, speak with a compliance professional and founder of the Integrity Coordinator, Geert Vermeulen, about the challenges of implementing effective whistleblower policies in Europe. They discuss cultural differences, strict requirements on external whistleblowing, and the burden of proof on companies to show that retaliation did not occur. The speakers emphasize the importance of understanding cultural differences and developing precise policies to promote a speak-up culture. The conversation ends with a reflection on the evolution of whistleblower procedures in Europe and thoughts on where things might be headed in the future. This is a must-listen podcast for anyone interested in compliance and corporate culture.
Vermeulen highlights the challenge of implementing the directives into the national laws of member states, which has resulted in differences between states. Each state has its own specifications about what can be reported and what must not be reported. For instance, every state has different rules regarding protection against retaliation.
Here are some tips to help cope with this challenge:
1. Get familiarized with the national laws of the member states where your organization operates.
2. Set up a streamlined procedure and ensure that all employees are aware of the internal complaints and whistleblowing process.
3. Ensure that your whistleblowing process is confidential and that whistleblowers are protected against retaliation.
Key Highlights
· Lack of tradition of whistleblowing in Europe
· Whistleblowing in emerging markets
· One worldwide whistleblowing program?
· Whistleblower protection and communication
· Interplay of EU Whistleblower Directive and GDPR
· The evolution of whistleblowing in Europe
Resources
Geert Vermeulen on LinkedIn
Tim Khasanov-Batirov on LinkedIn
Tom Fox
