Whistleblowers are now regarded as a key issue in the post Sarbanes-Oxley world with the law specifically providing them with protection from discrimination.

But how many organisations have methodical approaches for registering complaints and dealing with them effectively? When the whistle blows, how many organisations have the right systems in place?

Which makes Grant Thornton's report Hear That Whistle Blowing! worth checking out.

It's a handy step-by-step guide. It's all there, from understanding stakeholders and their needs and identifying who they are, to accepting, Screening and documenting complaints. It also sets out guidelines for running an investigation team.

For companies, these guidelines are also important for their own legal protection.