Compliance

A number of recent rulings from the Supreme Court ought to be dominating compliance practitioners' attention. Here, we have highlights of some of the more significant decisions, on matters ranging from whether staff should be paid for donning and doffing protective gear and when interns must be compensated to employer liability in instances of workplace bullying.

Laws concerning same-sex couples and employer benefits are changing. U.S. v Windsor, a landmark case in 2013, was a huge win for those seeking equal rights for same-sex couples, and it has set the tone for many rulings since. For employers, the impact is significant, as their benefit plans and policies may now be out of compliance with federal law....

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court upholds individual's privacy in the course of an arrest by restricting officers from searching the arrestee's cell phone without a first obtaining a warrant. This is a huge stride in data privacy during an era when it seems little remains out of Big Brother's reach. It's also a reminder that companies should take...

Innovation is the name of the game at Apple, and the tech giant may be breaking into the medical device manufacturing sector with the introduction of the iWatch. Pending FDA approval, of course. But is the company ready for the move into such a highly regulated environment, where the product will be under constant scrutiny?

The tides may be turning in Ukraine. Anti-corruption measures were signed into effect in May, and the initiative's supporters expect improved transparency, with resulting increases in investment into the country from foreign investors. This comes just as the EBRD predicts a coming economic decline in the country. We'll have to stay tuned to see what happens.

Last month a new Unverified List was published and the vast majority of the foreign entities featured on the UVL are located in Hong Kong. This may come as no surprise to exporters who've screened transaction partners there in the past, but - while unfavorable determinations are routine in the city, it remains an attractive hub for exports. Here's what...

The GSK China scandal came to light through a sex tape, and the anonymous whistleblower who leaked the tape also presented allegations of bribery. GSK's own investigation into the matter has failed to net anything of substance, but the Chinese government has turned up a great deal of evidence pointing to massive systemic bribery.

An effective ethics and compliance program is integral to good business. With the passing of the Clean Companies Act, companies doing business in Brazil have new regulations to comply with, and maintaining operations in line with these standards is an essential step in maintaining a competitive edge.

Even thorough, established ethics and compliance training programs can fall quite short in the desired outcomes department if the instruction is mind-numbingly boring. If you hope to advance the C&E cause in your organization, you'll need a robust training program that engages employees where they are.

Recent legislation has had a significant impact on the trade of conflict minerals, including "blood diamonds," out of areas ravaged by war and run by warlords. The deadline for reporting supply chain partners, per Dodd-Frank, has come and gone, and companies have found it difficult to say with certainty whether their materials are truly conflict-free. A QMS can be hugely...

In the past month, we've heard plenty of allegations of corruption associated with the Brazil World Cup, but there's as much or more controversy surrounding the forthcoming events in Qatar. Tom Fox suggests that when there's a question of corruption, just follow the money. And in this case, it's flying in all sorts of questionable directions.

The Board of Directors has immense power when it comes to facilitating the success of the company's ethics and compliance program. From setting tone at the top and holding management accountable for their staff's - and their own - adherence to the program, the importance of the Board cannot be overestimated.