Website Launched:  12/26/1994 Last Update:  2/14/2013 The Integrity Center, Inc. "objective risk management services" (972) 484-6140 [ Since 1984 ] HOME Reference Articles   SCREENING Check List Backgrounds TUTORIALS SERVICE MENU FCRA THIS COMPANY Our Methods Why Use Us Myths Pitfalls CHECK MYSELF CHECK NANNY USEFUL LINKS Library Statistics PRESS RELEASE The Integrity News Vol. XI No. 34 ISSN 1081-2717 December 16, 2002 Business Week December 16, 2002 (pgs. 106-110) 2002: Year of the Whistleblower The Sarbanes-Oxley corporate reform law applies to public companies, but not to private companies. Employees  of publicly traded companies are now  the most protected whistleblowers. SOME OF THE PROVISIONS: o It is unlawful to "discharge, demote,  suspend, threaten, harass, or in any manner discriminate against" a whistleblower. o Criminal penalties of up to 10 years in jail are established for executives who retaliate against whistleblowers. o Board of Directors Audit Committees must establish procedures for hearing whistleblower complaints. o The Secretary of Labor can order a company to rehire a terminated whistleblower with no court hearings whatsoever. o A whistleblower has a right to a jury trial, bypassing months or years of cumbersome administrative hearings. "Experts say anyone thinking about tattling on their company should ask themselves four important questions before doing do." WHISTLEBLOWER CHECKLIST: o Is This The Only Way ? "Do not blow the whistle unless you have tried to correct the problem by reporting up the normal chain of command and gotten no results. Make sure your allegations are not minor complaints." o Do I Have The Goods ? "Gather documentary evidence that proves your case and keep it in a safe place. Keep good notes, perhaps even a daily diary. Make sure you are seeing fraud, not merely incompetence or sloppiness." o Why Am I Doing This ? "Examiner your motives. Do not act out of frustration or because you feel under-appreciated or mistreated. Do not embellish your case and do not violate any confidentiality agreements you may have." o Am I Ready ? "Think through the impact on your family. Be prepared for unemployment and the possibility of being blacklisted in your profession. Last but not least, consult a lawyer." Each HR professional should acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley law. This particular Business Week article only focuses on the provisions of the law that deal with whistleblowers. The law has many other provisions that effect HR. We will be covering those in the future, but you should acquaint yourself with them now. 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