According to a recent survey from Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), a nationwide employment and labor law firm representing management, companies are growing increasingly concerned regarding whistle-blowing activity.
An overwhelming majority of respondents (96%) reported they are either very concerned (27%) or moderately concerned (69%) regarding possible whistleblower claims and 73% identified whistleblowing and retaliation as emerging risk areas. (WCxKit)
Survey respondents seem to be anticipating growth in claims as the program develops and the SEC’s new Office of the Whistleblower, which opened its doors in August, continues to gather as many as 100 tips per day, according to SEC officials.
Although an already high percentage of respondents (45%) reported their companies experienced a whistleblower claim in the last 12-24 months, 67% anticipate whistleblower claims to gain steam within the next 12-24 months.
While companies see whistleblowing as a major risk that is likely to grow in the near-term, most of the respondents (65%) reported the companies are only moderately organized to handle whistleblower claims and only 54% were confident that executives in their organizations understand unlawful retaliation concepts and understand how not to engage in such conduct.
After expressing uncertainty as it relates to their current level of preparation, 84% of respondents indicated their companies have taken preventative steps to protect against unlawful retaliation claims and 59% are either undergoing training in the next year or plan to do so. (WCxKit)
Lastly, the survey also revealed concern among respondents that provisions within Dodd-Frank could undermine their present compliance programs. Just 12% reported this was not a concern, while 51% were concerned and 37% remain unclear as to what the impact will be.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He is an editor and contributor to Workers Compensation Management Program: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%. Contact: [email protected].
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