The Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday that it has levied its first enforcement action against a company for using "improperly restrictive language" in confidentiality agreements with the potential to stifle the whistleblowing process.
The SEC charged Houston-based global technology and engineering firm KBR Inc. with violating whistleblower protection Rule 21F-17, which was enacted under the Dodd-Frank Act.
According to the SEC, KBR required witnesses in certain internal investigations and interviews to sign confidentiality statements with language warning that they could face discipline and even be fired if they discussed the matters with outside parties without the prior approval of KBR's legal department.
Since these investigations included allegations of possible securities law violations, the SEC found that these terms violated Rule 21F-17, which prohibits companies from taking any action to impede whistleblowers from reporting possible securities violations to the SEC.
KBR agreed to pay a $130,000 penalty to settle the SEC's charges and the company voluntarily amended its confidentiality statement by adding language making clear that employees are free to report possible violations to the SEC and other federal agencies without KBR approval or fear of retaliation.
Without admitting or denying the charges, KBR agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing any future violations of Rule 21F-17.
"By requiring its employees and former employees to sign confidentiality agreements imposing pre-notification requirements before contacting the SEC, KBR potentially discouraged employees from reporting securities violations to us," said Andrew Ceresney, director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, in a statement. "SEC rules prohibit employers from taking measures through confidentiality, employment, severance, or other type of agreements that may silence potential whistleblowers before they can reach out to the SEC. We will vigorously enforce this provision."
