Are you OK?

Many employees don’t report the wrongdoing they observe at work.

Nearly half of those who have the courage to speak up also experience some form of retaliation shortly thereafter. How likely are they to give the company a second chance and report this retaliation?

Very unlikely.

This is why ethics and compliance (E&C) teams should routinely follow up with reporters, both during and after an investigation. They should specifically ask if the reporter is experiencing any kind of retaliation and take immediate action if they are.

An employee who has been retaliated against but feels supported by the company is likely to become an advocate for the E&C program. In contrast, an employee left unprotected and isolated will discourage others from speaking up.

Simply asking, “Are you OK?” is not only the human thing to do but could also preserve the integrity and effectiveness of your E&C program.