To protect and serve? insights of compliance and ethics officers into determining their role in enforcing an ethical workplace

Abstract

This dissertation argued for the need for stronger corporate ethics policies and enforcement, as well as tougher anti-retaliation protections. The problem investigated was how corporate ethics policies can be improved in the property and casualty insurance industry. This dissertation explored the importance of code of ethics policies and programming, in addition to anti-retaliation policies managed by ethics and compliance officers in the property and casualty insurance space. Additionally, the research aimed to understand the role these officers play within an organization when they communicate, implement, and enforce their organization's ethics policies, ensuring whistleblowers feel protected when they report misconduct. This dissertation highlighted key commonalities and themes in code of conduct policies at six leading property and casualty insurance companies and featured interviews with compliance and ethics officers in the property and casualty insurance space. These individuals stated how they believe corporate ethics protections can be improved within their organization. --Author's abstract