What Is Whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing encourages and enables employees to raise concerns within the company. Employees are often the first to realise that there is something seriously wrong within the organisation. However, they may not express their concerns as they feel that speaking up would be disloyal to their colleagues or to the organisation.
Our Organisations Commitments
HydroCo is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity and accountability. In line with this we ask all staff who have concerns about any aspect of the organisation to come forward.
Policy Aims
- To enable all to raise concerns in confidence and receive feedback on any action taken.
- To ensure you are aware of how to pursue them if you are not satisfied.
- To reassure you that you will be protected from possible reprisals or victimisation if you believe you have made a disclosure in good faith.
What Type of Concerns Are Covered?
- Any breaches of the law.
- Disclosure related to miscarriages of justice.
- Health and safety risks.
- Environmental concerns.
- Possible fraud and corruption.
- Sexual or physical abuse.
- Modern Day Slavery concerns.
- Other unethical conduct.
Safeguards
HydroCo recognises that reporting a concern can be difficult. You have nothing to fear because you will be doing your duty if what you are saying is true. The organisation will not tolerate any harassment of victimisation and will take appropriate action to protect you when you raise a concern in good faith.
Confidentiality
All concerns will be treated in confidence and every effort will be made not to reveal your identity if you so wish. However, you may need to come forward as a witness. This policy encourages you however to put your name to your concern whenever possible. Please note that you:
- Must disclose the information in good faith and believe it to be substantially true.
- Must not act maliciously or make false allegations.
- Must not seek any personal gain.
How To Raise Your Concern
You should raise concerns either verbally or in writing with your immediate manager. This may depend however on the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue involved. For example, if you believe that management is involved you should approach a more senior level of management.
Financial allegations require that a Director shall be informed of financial irregularities or suspected irregularities.
For independent advice contact: Public Concern At Work, http://www.pcaw.co.uk
William Tracey – Director
hydroco.co.uk 