The Whistleblower’s Choice: Risk, Responsibility, and Doing the Right Thing

Share this article

The Whistleblower’s Choice: Why Creating a Speak-Up Culture Matters More Than Ever

When employees witness misconduct, the choice to report it can be one of the most difficult decisions they face in their careers. This was the central theme of The Whistleblower’s Choice: Risk, Responsibility, and Doing the Right Thing, a webinar that brought together experts to discuss what drives whistleblowers, what holds them back, and how organisations can foster an environment where the right choice becomes easier to make.

The weight of responsibility

For many potential whistleblowers, the decision to speak up is filled with uncertainty. They weigh personal and professional risks, consider the potential impact on their colleagues, and question whether their concerns will be taken seriously. The webinar explored real-world examples where individuals grappled with these choices and highlighted the consequences for both the whistleblower and the organisation when a safe reporting structure is missing.

Building systems that earn trust

The discussion emphasised that trust is built through action, not just policies. Effective whistleblowing frameworks do more than provide a reporting channel. They actively signal to employees that their voices are valued and that concerns will be handled responsibly and fairly. The speakers shared practical steps for strengthening these systems, from regular training to leadership modelling the right behaviours.

The broader impact on organisational health

Beyond protecting against legal risks, whistleblowing programs contribute directly to building a resilient and ethical workplace. When people feel confident in raising concerns, issues are addressed before they escalate. The session offered guidance on how to align reporting mechanisms with broader goals like employee well-being, governance, and corporate integrity.

‍

If you are interested in learning how to strengthen your organisation’s whistleblowing approach, watch the on-demand webinar or explore our related resources.

‍

David Morgan

Managing Director, Whistleblower Technology Solutions

Watch this webinar

Fill out the form below to WATCH THE WEBINAR

FAQs

What background check do I need?

This depends on the industry and type of role you are recruiting for. To determine whether you need reference checks, identity checks, bankruptcy checks, civil background checks, credit checks for employment or any of the other background checks we offer, chat to our team of dedicated account managers.

Why should employers check the background of potential employees?

Many industries have compliance-related employment check requirements. And even if your industry doesn’t, remember that your staff have access to assets and data that must be protected. When you employ a new staff member you need to be certain that they have the best interests of your business at heart. Carrying out comprehensive background checking helps mitigate risk and ensures a safer hiring decision.

How long do background checks take?

Again, this depends on the type of checks you need. Simple identity checks can be carried out in as little as a few hours but a worldwide criminal background check for instance might take several weeks. A simple pre-employment check package takes around a week. Our account managers are specialists and can provide detailed information into which checks you need and how long they will take.

Can you do a background check online?

All Veremark checks are carried out online and digitally. This eliminates the need to collect, store and manage paper documents and information making the process faster, more efficient and ensures complete safety of candidate data and documents.

What are the benefits of a background check?

In a competitive marketplace, making the right hiring decisions is key to the success of your company. Employment background checks enables you to understand more about your candidates before making crucial decisions which can have either beneficial or catastrophic effects on your business.

What does a background check show?

Background checks not only provide useful insights into a candidate’s work history, skills and education, but they can also offer richer detail into someone’s personality and character traits. This gives you a huge advantage when considering who to hire. Background checking also ensures that candidates are legally allowed to carry out certain roles, failed criminal and credit checks could prevent them from working with vulnerable people or in a financial function.