Empowering Employees to Speak Up Through Whistleblowing Mechanisms

This case study discusses how the Philippine National Bank (PNB) has strengthened its whistleblower policy, promoting gender equality, ensuring protection and fairness for all employees in reporting misconduct. This policy plays a big role in ensuring that employees regardless of rank or gender, to speak up without fear and report on violations of company policy. This revision aims to create an environment where all employees, particularly women, can safely report unethical behavior without fear of retaliation. Recognising the unique challenges women face in reporting issues due to societal and cultural pressures, PNB has introduced measures to protect identities and safeguard against any form of backlash. The policy includes confidential reporting channels, rigorous investigation processes, and clear anti-retaliation provisions. Moreover, the bank has implemented educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of reporting and the protections in place for whistleblowers, aiming to empower employees and promote a culture of transparency and integrity. This proactive approach underscores PNB’s commitment to upholding high ethical standards and supporting gender equality as integral to its corporate governance framework.