Whistleblowing dictionary

Bossing is a form of workplace bullying where a superior or manager abuses their power to intimidate, harass, or undermine subordinates. It often involves persistent and unfair treatment that negatively impacts the victim’s well-being and job performance.

Bribery is the act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in a position of authority. It is considered a form of corruption and is illegal in many jurisdictions.

The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) is a senior executive responsible for ensuring that an organization adheres to all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. The CCO oversees the company's compliance programs, manages risks related to legal and regulatory requirements, and ensures that the organization maintains ethical standards in its operations.

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and directing all human resource functions within an organization. The CHRO is integral in aligning HR strategies with the company’s overall business goals, managing talent acquisition, employee development, performance management, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations.

Corporate sustainability is a business strategy focused on balancing economic, social, and environmental goals to achieve responsible and long-term growth.

Corruption refers to the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, often involving bribery, fraud, or embezzlement. It undermines trust, hampers economic development, and erodes the rule of law.

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which are principles aimed at promoting representation and fair treatment of all individuals in various environments. These principles focus on creating a culture where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone has equal access to opportunities.

Disclosure refers to the act of revealing or providing access to certain information, typically related to a person’s or organization’s private or confidential details. In the workplace, disclosure often involves sharing sensitive or personal information that may impact an individual’s employment or workplace environment.

Discrimination in workplaces and schools is the unfair treatment of individuals based on characteristics like race, gender, or religion, affecting opportunities, performance, and inclusion.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a U.S. government agency that enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace. The EEOC ensures that individuals have equal access to employment opportunities, free from discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, which are criteria used to evaluate a company's ethical impact and sustainability practices. It is often used by investors to assess potential risks and opportunities related to a company's operations and policies.

An ESG Manager or Sustainability Officer is a senior professional responsible for overseeing and implementing an organization’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. This role is focused on driving the company’s sustainability efforts, ensuring compliance with ESG regulations, and fostering ethical business practices to create a positive social and environmental impact.

The EU Whistleblower Directive is an EU law that protects individuals reporting legal violations within organizations, requiring safe reporting channels and anti-retaliation measures across member states.

Fraud is the intentional deception or misrepresentation made for personal gain or to damage another individual. It often involves false statements, misrepresentation, or deceitful conduct to secure an unfair or unlawful advantage.

Being ganged up on at work occurs when multiple coworkers or managers collectively target an individual in a hostile way, often contributing to a toxic workplace atmosphere.

GRC stands for Governance, Risk, and Compliance, which refers to a framework for managing an organization's overall governance, risk management, and compliance with regulations.

Grooming in the workplace refers to the act of building a relationship with someone, often in a manipulative or exploitative way, with the intention of gaining control or establishing trust for unethical purposes. In most cases, grooming is associated with predatory behavior and is often a precursor to harassment or abuse.

Harassment refers to unwanted and aggressive behavior, often repeated, that targets an individual or group, causing distress or harm. It can occur in various forms, including verbal, physical, or online, and is often motivated by discrimination or power dynamics.

Term description: ISO 37002 is an international standard that provides guidance on creating whistleblowing management systems to ensure ethical reporting, confidentiality, and whistleblower protection.

Misconduct refers to inappropriate or unethical behavior by an individual, often violating rules or standards of conduct. It can occur in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, or professional environments.

Mobbing refers to a form of bullying or harassment where a group targets an individual, often in a workplace or social setting, to isolate, intimidate, or undermine them. It can lead to severe emotional distress and impact the victim's mental health and professional life.

Modern slavery refers to situations where individuals are coerced, forced, or deceived into work or services under conditions of exploitation, often for little to no pay. It includes practices such as forced labor, human trafficking, and debt bondage, and it can occur in various industries and sectors worldwide.

Nepotism is the practice of giving preferential treatment to relatives or close friends, especially in professional settings such as hiring, promotions, or awarding business opportunities. This often occurs at the expense of fairness, merit, and organizational performance.

The Privacy Shield is a framework designed to protect the privacy and personal data of European Union (EU) citizens when it is transferred to the United States. It was created to ensure that companies transferring personal data across the Atlantic comply with EU privacy standards, particularly regarding data protection and individual rights.

Psychological safety refers to an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of negative consequences. It fosters open communication, risk-taking, and innovation within teams or organizations.

A Reduction in Force (RIF) is a process in which an organization eliminates positions or reduces its workforce to cut costs, improve efficiency, or restructure operations. RIFs are typically implemented when a company faces financial difficulties, changes in business strategy, or a need to streamline operations.

SOC 2 is a compliance framework that evaluates how organizations manage customer data based on five trust service principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It ensures robust data management and protection practices.

A violation refers to the act of breaking or disregarding a rule, law, or agreement. It often results in penalties or legal consequences.

Workplace abuse refers to any form of mistreatment or inappropriate behavior by an individual or group of individuals that creates a hostile or unsafe work environment. It can involve physical, emotional, verbal, or psychological harm and can have serious consequences for the victim’s well-being and the organization’s overall performance.

Wrongdoing refers to behavior or actions that are illegal, unethical, or morally incorrect. It encompasses a range of activities from minor infractions to serious crimes.