Kenilworth, Warwickshire UK - Oct 11, 2010 - New research commissioned by SAI Global shows how an increasing number of FTSE 250 companies (75%) are using whistleblowing hotlines to help stamp out unethical and corrupt behaviour. The results show a 26% increase in the use of hotlines for raising concerns compared to the same survey in 2007. However, these positive results come at a time when perceived levels of corruption in the UK are at an all time low – according to Transparency International’s 2010 Corruptions Perceptions Index (CPI).
“We were very encouraged to see that the FTSE 250 is being more pro-active about introducing whistleblowing procedures and hotlines, but it is clear that despite this drive towards a more compliant culture, companies still need to go some way in convincing the rest of the world that they are serious about stamping out corrupt practices.” commented Iain McLeod, Head of SAI Global Compliance EMEA.
Another significant finding in the survey, conducted by Middlesex University, is that companies are now making their whistleblowing procedures and hotlines more accessible to third parties and contractors. Iain McLeod added: “The enforcement of the UK Bribery Act, and in particular the guidelines for Adequate Procedures relating to third parties, are putting increasing pressure on companies to ramp up anti-bribery and corruption initiatives. We would strongly recommend that all businesses review their policies and procedures for managing third party relationships to ensure that the actions of all individuals operating on behalf of a company are in line with expectations and values."
View the published Whistleblowing Report 2010 >>
About SAI Global Compliance
For twenty-five years SAI Global Compliance has helped clients achieve organizational integrity and meet their overall business objectives with best practice compliance, ethics, risk management and governance solutions. With offices in more than 25 countries, SAI Global provides products and services including risk and culture assessments, a full range of advisory services, best practice Code of Conduct program development and review, whistleblowing hotline services, compliance and ethics education and awareness, regulatory knowledge, policy management, case management, and software solutions that manage and integrate every aspect of a compliance management process.
Media InquiriesGemma Jones, Marketing Executive, SAI Global Compliance EMEA,
gemma.jones@saiglobal.com , phone +44 (0)1926 523101.
