Dubai - Whistleblowing is attracting high-profile media attention across the world and is proving to be a key concern for multi-national employers in the Middle East region, especially in relation to the cultural attitudes, regulations and differing levels of protections across the globe.
A report launched by DLA Piper, 'Whistleblowing: An employer's guide to global compliance', reveals that employers must be alive to the issues of wrongdoing in the workplace and outlines the challenges that present themselves to global employers seeking to minimise the risks to their business.
Whistleblowers play an important though often a risky role in exposing corruption, however balancing against this is the need for employers not to have business interests hampered by malicious accusations.
This delicate balancing act is a trend we expect to see continue in the global workplace, as significant cultural differences could lead to multi-national companies underestimating the notable compliance hurdles to implementing uniform whistleblowing policies across their global business.
Our report identifies that these international employers need to take a global approach to managing whistleblowing effectively and that companies need to be aware of the sharp contrasts in culture between jurisdictions so that they can tailor their approach to meet the demands of their global business.
Governments and businesses around the globe are also increasingly accepting the role of whistleblowing in uncovering wrongdoing. Yet in many Middle East jurisdictions, whistleblowing protection still needs to be embraced.
Neil Crossley, Head of the Employment practice at DLA Piper Middle East, commented: "Overall there is no free standing statutory protection for whistleblowers in the UAE where there has been no dismissal. However, multinational companies operating in the region with links to the UK or the US are likely to have their own internal procedures arising out of overseas legislation and their own internal requirements to follow such procedures will help to prevent employers from simply ignoring grievances raised by employees."
Tim Marshall, partner and DLA Piper's International Head of Employment said: "The cultural differences are often embedded in history meaning imposing universal policies and procedures is unlikely to succeed in effective management of whistleblowing.
"Companies operating in a global business environment with subsidiaries across a large number of jurisdictions face a daunting challenge. However employers who have a comprehensive policy that meets the needs of differing regimes and educates staff about their obligations will reap the rewards."
The full report is available to download here REPORT
For further information:
Karen Morrison, Marketing Manager - Communications, DLA Piper Middle East, 0551 393737 karen.morrison@dlapiper.com
Methodology: This report covers 10 jurisdictions across DLA Piper's global footprint and is compiled by our leading employment experts.
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© Press Release 2014
