A well-functioning ethics and compliance team serves as a crucial gatekeeper for organizational culture, training, and policy enforcement. However, their effectiveness is compromised when teams operate in silos, each with its own subcultures and methods. To ensure company values are upheld and local regulations are followed, visibility and alignment across all levels of the organization are essential.

If you're concerned that your organization may be more siloed than desired, read on for best practices to implement in 2024. Breaking down silos requires teamwork and commitment from leadership, but it is entirely possible to foster a cohesive environment.

Understanding Organizational Silos and Their Impact on Culture and Risk

Silos form within a company when communication falters between teams, departments, and hierarchical levels. This breakdown not only hinders information sharing but also stifles collaboration across functional boundaries. While cross-functional collaboration benefits both customers and employees, it is often absent in siloed organizations.

From an ethics and compliance standpoint, silos pose significant risks. The lack of visibility into team operations means it’s difficult to ascertain whether they adhere to company values or comply with policies. Independent teams can develop their own cultures, leading to behaviors that may diverge from the company's code of conduct, making it challenging to report misconduct in an opaque environment.

Moreover, managers who onboard vendors and third parties using inconsistent processes can create repercussions that extend beyond their teams.

Preventing the formation of silos—and dismantling existing ones—is vital for ethics and compliance.

How Ethics and Compliance Teams Can Break Down Silos

Fortunately, the responsibility to dismantle silos lies with the ethics and compliance team.

Bring New Employees Up to Speed

Most companies have a code of conduct and core values that every new hire learns during onboarding. This presents a unique opportunity for cross-organizational engagement. Choose relatable and memorable values that resonate with all employees. By treating onboarding as a collaborative exercise, ethics and compliance can help forge connections between disparate teams from the outset.

Connect Teams Through Ethics Training

Regular ethics and compliance training can serve as a platform for employees from different departments to interact. Consider designating an ethics and compliance ambassador to lead these sessions, facilitating connections among team members from various business units.

Set Standards for Working with Outside Parties

Since all teams will likely engage with third parties, it’s beneficial for them to follow a unified process for onboarding and managing these relationships. A cohesive third-party management approach allows leaders from different functions to collaborate on a comprehensive lifecycle that serves all stakeholders effectively.

Get Leadership Buy-In

Leadership plays a pivotal role in promoting ethical behavior and compliance. Leaders should model the values they wish to see and actively engage in initiatives designed to break down silos and cultivate a strong team culture.

Promote Your Helpline

While a company helpline may not be the first tool that comes to mind for breaking down silos, it can provide valuable insights into organizational culture. Ensure employees are aware of when, why, and how to use the helpline, as it can reveal trends and micro-cultures within teams. A culture that encourages feedback and information sharing will enhance the effectiveness of helplines and mitigate the risk of informational silos.

Enhance Disclosure Programs

A robust disclosure program can yield significant insights, particularly for multinational organizations. By understanding the unique cultures and practices of each location, you can work towards harmonizing the global culture and dismantling departmental silos.

Using Technology to Build Bridges Across Teams

While breaking down silos is fundamentally a human process, the right technology can facilitate this effort. Ensure your ethics and compliance team leverages user-friendly employee engagement tools for learning, disclosures, policy management, and digital communication. This will help reinforce a reputation for being approachable and effective. Interactive training, streamlined policies, and a culture of trust and visibility will enhance engagement and ensure all employees are aligned on ethics and compliance.

Visibility and a collaborative culture are essential for the success of any ethics and compliance program. When silos obstruct information sharing and create isolated environments, risks can proliferate. It is the responsibility of the compliance program to foster collaboration and transparency—ensuring that the right tools and expectations are established from day one of an employee's journey with the organization.