About EthicsPoint
What is EthicsPoint?
EthicsPoint is a confidential reporting tool that enables employee-owners to speak up about fraud, abuse, safety concerns and violations, close-call incidents and other misconduct in the workplace.
Why do we need a system like EthicsPoint?
- We want our employee-owners to feel comfortable and safe to address concerns.
- This effective reporting system fosters a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
- Guides business in a manner that’s consistent with our values, our policies and the law.
Reporting – General
Why should I report what I know? What’s in it for me?
Each employee-owner owns a stake in the company and its success. Employee ownership carries the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner and reporting inappropriate behavior. Misconduct can impact the entire company.
May I report using either the internet or the telephone?
Yes. EthicsPoint enables you to file a confidential or anonymous report by telephone or the internet.
What types of situations should I report?
The EthicsPoint system allows employees to report any violation of our Code of Conduct, policies, or concerns.
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, security, or Human Resources?
We recognize there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting directly and encourage you to report via the hotline and give the company the opportunity to address your concerns
What do I include in a safety-related report?
In reporting of items concerning unsafe work environments, safety violations, or close-call incidents - please provide a location, time and date (if possible), and information on the nature of the unsafe condition, safety violation, and specifics of close-call incidents. This will allow the Safety team to investigate, mitigate and/or remediate conditions that may exist and provide training to avoid future incidents.
Does management really want me to report?
We certainly do. In fact, we need you to report. You may have insightful knowledge of an activity that may be cause for concern. Your reporting can minimize the potential negative impact on the company and fellow employee-owners.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on the EthicsPoint secure server, which produces reports available only to specialized staff who evaluate the report based on the type of violation and location of the incident.
Reporting Security & Confidentiality
It is my understanding that any report I send from a company computer generates a server log that shows every website that my PC connects with. Won’t this log identify me as the report originator?
EthicsPoint does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your laptop to EthicsPoint is available. If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work computer, you have the option of using any computer through the EthicsPoint secure website.
Can I file a report from home and still remain anonymous?
A report from home, a neighbor’s computer, or any Internet portal will remain secure and confidential. You have the option to remain anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the EthicsPoint system strips away Internet addresses so that anonymity is totally maintained.
I am concerned that the information I provide EthicsPoint will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that will not happen?
The EthicsPoint system protects your anonymity. However, if you wish to remain anonymous, you -- as a reporting party -- need to ensure that the body of the report does not reveal your identity by accident. For example, “From my cube next to Jan Smith …” or “In my 33 years …”
Is the telephone toll-free hotline confidential, too?
Yes. You will be asked to provide the same information that you would provide in an Internet-based report and an interviewer will type your responses into EthicsPoint. These reports have the same security and confidentiality measures. You have the option to remain anonymous.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
There is a section in the report to identify yourself if you wish.
Is there a benefit to making my identity known?
Yes. Typically, anonymous feedback is challenging to investigate. If you share your identity, we can get more specific information that may be needed to thoroughly investigate a claim.
Tips & Best Practices
I am aware of some individuals acting unethically, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
Recology promotes ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees, including you. If you know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, consider it your duty to yourself and fellow employee-owners to report it.
I am not sure if what I have observed or heard is a violation of company policy, or involves unethical conduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?
File a report. EthicsPoint can help you prepare and file your report so it can be properly understood. We'd rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possible unethical behavior go unchecked.
What if my boss or other managers are involved in a violation? Won’t they get the report and start a cover-up?
The EthicsPoint system and report distribution ensure that implicated parties are not notified or granted access to reports in which they have been named.
What if I remember something important about the incident after I file the report? Or what if the company has further questions for me concerning my report?
When you file a report in EthicsPoint or through the EthicsPoint Call Center, you receive a unique, randomized number called a Report Key and prompted to create a password. You can return to the EthicsPoint system again either by Internet or telephone and access the original report to add more detail or answer questions posed by a company representative.
Are these follow-ups on reports as secure as the first one?
All EthicsPoint correspondences are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report, continuing anonymity.
What if I lose my Report Key or forget the password I created?
To ensure that security and confidentiality is maintained, if you lose your report key or password, you will need to file a new report. Mention in the new report that it is related to a report or question you previously submitted.