The Human Centric: A speak-up implementation checklist

By Elisabeta Grigoriu from Grigoriu C. Elisabeta Law Practice, Romania – The HUMAN CENTRIC

Introduction

Elisabeta Grigoriu, founder of Grigoriu C. Elisabeta Law Practice, supports organisations in building ethical cultures where people feel safe to speak up. Through her legal work and The HUMAN CENTRIC initiative, she helps turn compliance into a foundation for trust and accountability.

In this final article of her three-part series, Elisabeta offers a clear, practical checklist for organisations ready to assess and strengthen their Speak-up culture.

Is your organisation ready?

Here is a quick and practical checklist for organisations to assess their readiness to support a strong Speak Up Culture.

1. Policies & procedures

• Clear, accessible Speak Up policy
• Anti‑retaliation policy communicated widely
• Defined and documented investigation procedures
• Clear rules regarding access to reports and confidentiality

2. Reporting channels

• At least two independent reporting options (e.g. digital reporting platform, hotline, dedicated email address) 
• Anonymous reporting available (where legally permitted)
• Secure digital platform with appropriate data protection (if chosen as option)

3. Training & awareness

• Annual training for all employees
• Specialised training for managers on handling concerns and reporters
• Ongoing communication and awareness campaigns

4. Culture & behaviour

• Leadership actively supports and promotes speaking up
• Managers model respectful listening and open dialogue
• Employees feel psychologically safe to raise concerns

5. Follow‑up & accountability

• Timely responses to all reports (check legal requirements in your country)
• Documented outcomes, actions and learnings
• Regular review and continuous improvement of the Speak Up process
• If you can tick most of these boxes, your organisation is building a strong foundation for a genuine speak-up culture. If not, now is the ideal moment to take action.

More on this topic

This article concludes Elisabeta Grigoriu’s three-part series on ethical leadership and Speak Up Culture. To read the previous articles, start with Part 1: Redefining leadership and Part 2: How to build a speak-up culture.

To learn more about Elisabeta Grigoriu’s legal services and The HUMAN CENTRIC initiative, visit thehumancentric.eu – People. Ethics. Data