BackProtected disclosure processes of the highest standard are necessary to maintain New Zealand’s position as international number one in perceptions of lack of corruption, Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said today.
Speaking at the launch of new research into protected disclosure, or whistleblowing, processes in New Zealand organisations, Peter Boshier said that our first-equal standing with Denmark in the Transparency International Index significantly enhances our international reputation, as well as our business opportunities.
"To maintain this position, we must have best practice whistleblowing processes", Peter Boshier said. "People have to know they are safe and will not suffer detriment if they speak up about wrongdoing in the workplace, and that their concerns will be heard and acted upon if needed.
"The report released today analyses the strength of whistleblowing processes in Australia and New Zealand, and shows our performance is at best variable", the Chief Ombudsman said. "This is an area that I have believed for a while needs stronger focus from my Office, and I’m considering resource requirements for that", he said.
The research was led by Professor AJ Brown of Australia’s Griffith University, as part of the wider research project Whistling While They Work 2. Professor Brown is in New Zealand to launch the report and the next phase of the research, which will examine in more depth how New Zealand organisations manage the reporting of wrongdoing.
This next research phase is called Integrity@WERQ and consists of an online survey that examines the perceptions of staff from all levels of an organisation.
Under the Protected Disclosures Act 2000, the Office of the Ombudsman provides guidance and support to people who wish to make a protected disclosure. The Ombudsman is also one of the appropriate authorities for a whistleblower to approach if efforts to disclose concerns within their organisation have not been successful.
The Office of the Ombudsman, State Services Commission, Victoria University of Wellington and Griffith University are partners in the Integrity@WERQ survey.
More information about the Whistling While They Work 2 research project can be found here.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman, New Zealand
