Members of the Brock community now have a 24-hour hotline and a website where they can disclose concerns about improper activity at the University under the recently-approved Safe Disclosure Policy.
The toll-free phone line 1 855 484-CARE (2273) and website let people communicate in confidence, and anonymously, to a third-party consultant who is independent from University administration. https://www.grantthorntoncare.ca/
When it was approved just over a year ago, the Safe Disclosure Policy put Brock among a progressive group of institutions who were introducing “whistleblower” regulations to protect employees who want to report on suspected improper activities.
The policy applies to all Brock employees, students, volunteers, contractors and suppliers, and creates a safe mechanism if people want to disclose information about suspected improper activity. This could mean a serious breach of University policy, a violation of legal or regulatory requirements, serious financial misconduct or other similar situations.
The policy also makes a priority of protecting from reprisal anyone who makes a “good faith disclosure” — in other words, a report of suspected improper activity that is based on reasonable belief and is not “malicious, frivolous, vexatious.”
Until now, individuals who had a concern could report to their own unit or to Internal Audit Services. The new hotline and website provide an alternative route that goes directly to the independent system overseer, Canadian accounting and business advisory firm Grant Thornton.
Rob Cargnelli, Brock’s Director of Internal Audit, says the hotline and website are intended only for those who are uncomfortable disclosing in person. He said the system has been designed to guarantee anonymity, so disclosers can communicate with the University anonymously after a disclosure has been made. Upon logging into the CARE system, disclosers receive an access code to a secure portal, which lets the University respond to them without compromising their anonymity.
The policy does not compel or require people to disclose, but guarantees anonymity to people who choose to do so. It was developed at the direction of the Board of Trustees, which saw a need to support employees who want to help protect the University’s integrity and wellbeing.
“It is very important that individuals have a route to express concerns they may have with inappropriate behaviour in an organization,” said Board Chair John Suk. “There are instances where people see or hear things that should not be tolerated in a progressive workplace, but feel that their observations may reflect badly on them or even lead to retaliatory actions.
“A safe disclosure policy is intended to provide people with a safe and confidential avenue to report these incidents without any fear of reprisal, with the further goal to improve the overall working environment.”
