“Whistleblowing,” a fundamental component of any compliance program, refers to specific allegations of misconduct raised typically through an anonymous hotline or similar mechanism. “Speak-Up” is broader and refers to a culture where people feel safe to raise any allegation or concern.

A positive speak-up culture is a business imperative. A poor speak-up culture risks employees detailing concerns on social media, in the press, or to government agencies. Cultivating a speak-up culture and promoting internal channels for raising concerns can mitigate the risk of reputational damage and additional scrutiny. Moreover, it contributes to a feeling of psychological safety in the workplace.Developing and maintaining an effective speak-up culture requires more than establishing a whistleblowing hotline. A recently published article presents five steps to maintain an effective speak-up program.