2026 Report: Retaliation Against Compliance Officers
New research from Compliance Week, in conjunction with Case IQ and Radical Compliance, reveals how retaliation against compliance officers is affecting careers, compliance programs, and organizational culture.
Compliance professionals are expected to identify risk, challenge leadership when necessary, and uphold ethical business practices. But what happens when the people responsible for protecting the organization become the targets of retaliation?
The Retaliation Against Compliance Officers Report explores one of the most overlooked risks facing today's compliance profession. Based on responses from 328 compliance professionals, this research provides unprecedented insight into the prevalence of retaliation, the forms it takes, and the impact it has on compliance programs worldwide.
Whether you're building a stronger speak-up culture, benchmarking your compliance program, or evaluating governance practices, this report provides valuable data and practical insights that every compliance leader should understand.
About the Research
The Retaliation Against Compliance Officers Report is based on survey responses from 328 compliance professionals. The research was conducted by Compliance Week in conjunction with Case IQ and Radical Compliance to better understand how retaliation affects compliance careers, reporting behavior, program effectiveness, and organizational culture.
What You'll Learn
Inside this exclusive report, you'll discover:
- How common retaliation against compliance officers really is
- The most common forms of retaliation experienced by compliance professionals
- Why many compliance officers hesitate to report concerns, even when misconduct is serious
- Where retaliation most frequently originates within organizations
- How retaliation impacts compliance program effectiveness and organizational culture
- Practical considerations for strengthening speak-up culture and protecting compliance professionals
Why This Research Matters
An effective compliance program depends on people feeling safe to speak up.
If compliance officers fear retaliation, organizations may never learn about critical compliance issues until they become regulatory investigations, financial losses, or reputational crises.
The findings in this report highlight why retaliation against compliance officers isn't simply an HR issue—it's a governance issue that directly affects the effectiveness of ethics and compliance programs.
Key Findings from the Retaliation Against Compliance Officers Report
- 70% of respondents reported experiencing retaliation after raising compliance concerns.
- Nearly half said fear of retaliation had stopped them from speaking up at some point during their careers.
- More than half reported that no meaningful action was taken after they raised retaliation concerns.
These findings underscore the importance of creating reporting environments where compliance professionals—and all employees—can raise concerns without fear.
Who Should Download This Report?
This report is designed for:
- Chief Compliance Officers (CCOs)
- Ethics & Compliance professionals
- General Counsel
- Internal Audit leaders
- Risk and Governance professionals
- HR leaders
- Corporate investigators
- Board members and Audit Committee members
If your organization is committed to building a stronger culture of compliance, this report provides valuable benchmarking data and actionable insights.
Download the Report
Gain exclusive insight into one of the compliance profession's most important (and least discussed) topics.
Complete the form to download your free copy of the Retaliation Against Compliance Officers Report today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is retaliation against compliance officers?
Retaliation against compliance officers occurs when a compliance professional faces negative treatment after raising concerns, escalating misconduct, challenging leadership, or performing duties related to ethics and compliance.
Why is retaliation against compliance officers a governance issue?
It is a governance issue because retaliation can prevent compliance teams from surfacing misconduct, weaken internal reporting systems, and leave leadership unaware of serious legal, regulatory, financial, or reputational risk.
How common is retaliation against compliance officers?
According to the Retaliation Against Compliance Officers Report, 70% of surveyed compliance professionals said they experienced retaliation after raising compliance concerns.
Who should read the report?
The report is useful for chief compliance officers, ethics and compliance teams, general counsel, internal audit leaders, HR leaders, investigators, risk and governance professionals, boards, and audit committees.
