10 Best Practices For Designing And Managing Your Whistleblower Program

Key Takeaways:

• A well-designed whistleblower program helps state and local government agencies detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse while strengthening oversight.

• Clear reporting channels, defined response protocols, and ongoing outreach improve program effectiveness and user trust.

• Strong internal controls and consistent reporting processes help manage risk and maintain accountability.

Whistleblower programs are a critical component of strong governance and accountability. At MGO, we provide independent oversight and ethics hotline administration for a major transit agency. We also support other state and local governments in this role — receiving reports of fraud, waste, and abuse from hotlines; conducting investigations into allegations; and communicating results to boards and governing bodies.