The Dutch Whistleblowers Authority (Huis voor Klokkenluiders) has translated three new brochures in English that may help to support organisations and employees in fostering a culture of integrity and accountability. Each publication provides practical guidance for handling workplace concern and promoting a responsible, open, and ethical organizational culture.
The first brochure, Confidential adviser, offers practical guidance on constructive accountability in the workplace. It provides advice for employees on how to address concerns with a colleague effectively, as well as how to respond appropriately when confronted. The brochure is intended for officials and others responsible for promoting integrity, including during training sessions or internal workshops. It emphasizes that accountability is a shared responsibility: all employees contribute to fostering a culture of integrity, not only supervisors. The publication also highlights legal obligations for respectful and appropriate treatment of colleagues.
The second brochure, Holding each other accountable, presents guidance for two scenarios; addressing concerns with a colleague and responding when being addressed/ the guidelines are designed for employees, officials, and integrity officers to support constructive conversations and strengthen organisational integrity. The brochure underlines the importance of holding one another accountable for achieving organisational goals, encouraging collaboration, and maintaining a positive, ethical culture.
The third brochure, A culture of integrity, focuses on organisational culture as a whole. It introduces the integrity infrastructure model, a practical approach to building and sustaining integrity within organisations. The publication discusses how shared values, norms and ways of working shape organisational behavior, highlighting the importance of responsibility at all level. It provides guidance for developing an open culture in which employees understand what the organisation stand for and can be held accountable for upholding those principles.
Together, these three brochures offer organisations, supervisors, and employees up-to-date tools and insights to strengthen integrity, foster accountability, and support a responsible and transparent workplace culture.