Whistleblowing Policy
1. About this policy
1.1 We are committed to conducting our business with honesty and integrity and we expect all staff to maintain high standards. Any suspected wrongdoing should be reported as soon as possible.
1.2 This policy covers all employees, officers, consultants, contractors, casual workers and agency workers.
2. What is whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing is the reporting of suspected wrongdoing or dangers in relation to our activities. This includes bribery, fraud or other criminal activity, miscarriages of justice, health and safety risks, damage to the environment and any breach of legal or professional obligations.
3. How to raise a concern
3.1 We hope that in many cases you will be able to raise any concerns with your line manager. However, where you prefer not to raise it with your line manager for any reason, you should contact a more senior manager or HR. If you feel that you cannot raise your complaint directly with any of your management or HR team, you may raise the complaint with the Group HR Director.
3.2 You are encouraged to raise the matter internally, and in most cases you should not find it necessary to alert anyone externally. However, if you feel you do not wish to raise it internally or it has not been resolved appropriately you can use the confidential external helpline managed by Navex EthicsPoint; the helpline number and website details are provided at the end of this policy.
3.3 We will arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss your concern. You may bring a colleague or union representative to any meetings under this policy. Your companion must respect the confidentiality of your disclosure and any subsequent investigation.
4. Confidentiality
We hope that employees will feel able to voice whistleblowing concerns openly under this policy. Completely anonymous disclosures are difficult to investigate. If you want to raise your concern confidentially, we will make every effort to keep your identity secret and only reveal it where necessary to those involved in investigating your concern.
5. Protection and support for whistleblowers
5.1 We aim to encourage openness and will support whistleblowers who raise genuine concerns under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken.
5.2 Whistleblowers must not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of raising a genuine concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform the Group HR Director immediately.
5.3 You must not threaten or retaliate against whistleblowers in any way. If you are involved in such conduct you may be subject to disciplinary action.
5.4 However, if we conclude that a whistleblower has made false allegations maliciously or with a view to personal gain, the whistleblower may be subject to disciplinary action.
6. Contacts
| Navex EthicsPoint Confidential Helpline and Website | Telephone: 0800 069 8730 |
