Often middle or senior management can act as a filter and prevent initiatives from people at the top communicating directly with the workforce, and information from the workforce getting to the people at the top. An Answer Public Concern at Work was set up to address this problem. Along with our research and educational work, we operate a legal advice service. Employees, from whatever sector, can contact us in complete confidence and talk through their concerns and consider stategies to raise the matter safely. The experience of our helpline confirms that the individual employee is often isolated, confused and unsure what to do if they suspect serious malpractice at work.
Many organisations assume that if there is a problem then employees can use the complaints system.
If that is the only option staff feel they are given, it is no surprise that so many decide to mind their own business. Setting an Example We believe that one of the things that organisations in the UK should consider is how to encourage responsibility in their workforce. When Jamie Bulger was murdered, nineteen people had seen him being dragged away and done nothing about it. If you can establish what people's responsibilities are at one level it becomes easier to see how you can apply them further up. If you see broken glass on the living room floor, you either sweep it up or tell other people in the household.