Compliance: How seriously is it being taken?

In the recent study released last week, titled: In Focus: Compliance Trends Survey 2013 from Deloitte and Compliance Week, there were some interesting findings. For example:
• 62% outsource ethics hotline operations.
• 32% outsource training.
• 18% outsource investigations.
My question is, when, how and why are all these outsourced processes brought back “in house and then what?
In addition, the study found that the most common areas of responsibility for compliance officers were(in order):
1. Establishing standards for ethical business conduct.
2. Whistleblower protection.
3. The complaints hotline
4. Anti bribery compliance.
And yet, the study goes on the report that compliance budgets are under generally underfunded and understaffed.
So after reading this study, I’m left with a few observations myself.
1. The word or concept of ethics is sparsely used or referred to as crucial to compliance.
2. If whistleblower protection is such a key concern, why do we have the continual issue of lawsuits, retaliation, firing etc. of those who strive to do the right thing by “blowing the
“whistle?”
3. If the compliance training budget is underfunded, as the study reflects, wonder what the ethics s training budget is?
4. I understand the out sourcing the ethics hotline helps to ensure anonymity of the complainant, but the real question here is what really happens to the complaint? Who does what, why and how with the complaint? What’s the follow-up to closure and is the complainant anonymously “kept in the loop?”
I encourage all to read this very insightful study that just came out last week.

fbucaro

Like you, business ethics and ethical leadership expert, Frank Bucaro has seen the challenges and problems of corporate leadership, particularly over the past few years in regards to poor decision-making, SEC violations, and record breaking financial settlements in a number of different industries. With over two decades of executive training, speaking, writing and with real life experiences, his view and approach to ethics in the workplace is uniquely different. He emphasizes that ethics is a moment-to-moment choice and has little to do with position, titles, personalities or education. Ethics is everybody’s responsibility from the top down. His goal is to help organizations to: a. Strengthen their ethics training initiatives in order to significantly decrease the odds of an ethical/compliance violation. b. Energize, train and motivate employees to understand the value of consistent “high road” behavior as a business advantage. c. Support individuals and thereby the organization by contributing to its success by quality, ongoing values based leadership development. Frank is known for his very practical, slightly irreverent, yet somewhat humorous approach to ethics and leadership development. His conversational style and real life stories connect with his audience in a personal, intense and practical level. Companies such as Bayer Healthcare, BP, ReMax International, EnMax Energy, Danone, etc. have partnered with Frank when they want to proactively stress the message, tools, insights and practical applications that good ethics IS good for business!