Although most employees want an honest work environment, it is unwise to assume that all employees will utilize reporting mechanisms because the company's code of conduct requires it. Employees are motivated to come forward by the type of reporting mechanisms utilized by an organization, not the requirement to us it. Systems that ensure confidentiality and anonymity, especially where employees fear retribution, are necessary to convince employees to come forward. Such assurances are also necessary to meet the Guidelines criteria of establishing an environment of ethical behavior whereby all employees feel a moral obligation to report criminal activity. Too often, however, the reporting mechanism utilized by an organization focuses on the needs of the organization rather than on the needs of its employees.
Organizations choose inexpensive and easy to set up systems.
Such procedures do not inspire trust because they cannot guarantee confidentiality or anonymity. An example of an inexpensive and simplistic reporting mechanism that compromises confidentiality and anonymity is the answering machine. Answering Machines as Reporting Mechanisms Leaving a message on an answering machine requires recording the caller's voice. This causes fear of identification for employees seeking anonymity. Other employee concerns are that the recording will be reproduced, will fall into the wrong hands or be used for a variety of real or imagined purposes.