Working with Whistleblowers Reporting Illegal Acts

Author: Robert K Minniti

This course prepares professionals to recognize, support, and appropriately respond to whistleblower activity in the workplace. As organizations face increasing regulatory scrutiny and heightened public awareness surrounding ethical misconduct, individuals must understand how to navigate allegations of illegal or unethical behavior responsibly and in accordance with professional standards.

In this course, you will explore reporting channels, confidentiality requirements, and federal whistleblower programs, as well as the laws that protect individuals who disclose wrongdoing. Real world examples and current whistleblower trends help illustrate why tips remain the number one method for detecting occupational fraud. You will gain practical guidance on evaluating whistleblower claims, reducing retaliation risks, and ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational obligations. By the end of the program, participants will be better prepared to manage sensitive disclosures, foster an ethical culture, and respond effectively when misconduct is suspected or reported.

Publication Date: June 2026

Designed For
This course is designed for professionals who may encounter—or be responsible for responding to—whistleblower activity within their organizations.

Topics Covered

• Types of illegal acts and unethical behavior in organizations
• Whistleblower reporting trends and statistics
• Legal protections and confidentiality requirements for whistleblowers
• Federal whistleblower programs and regulatory expectations
• Retaliation: definitions, protections, and prevention
• Best practices for receiving, evaluating, and documenting whistleblower reports

Learning Objectives

• Identify appropriate internal and external channels for reporting illegal or unethical behavior
• Differentiate major federal whistleblower programs and their reporting requirements
• Recognize behaviors that do and do not constitute retaliation against a whistleblower
• Analyze common fraud‑detection trends, including how most tips and complaints are generated
• Evaluate whistleblower statistics to identify patterns and areas of organizational risk
• Determine where the majority of whistleblower complaints are filed and how those processes function

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None