General Questions About Reporting
Specific Questions About EthicsPoint and Reports
Security, Confidentiality and Anonymity Questions
General Questions About Reporting
What type of situations should I report?
You should report any suspected violation of the law, the Code of Conduct, or any other policy, or other unethical behavior.
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, security, or human resources and let them deal with it?
If you believe that a violation has occurred, you have a duty to report it. Ideally, you should bring any concerns forward to your direct manager or other members of management, Employee Experience, Security, Compliance, or the Legal Department. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner. If so, use EthicsPoint to report your concerns.
Why should I report what I know? What’s in it for me?
Integrity is an ALSAC core value. We uphold the highest level of professional ethics as a responsibility to one another, our supporters, and the St. Jude brand. Unethical, illegal, unsafe, or other improper actions are contrary to our core values and can harm our reputation, our employees, our supports, and our ability to serve our mission. By speaking up, you are preserving our culture of integrity, protecting the organization, and protecting others.
I am aware of some individuals involved with unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
ALSAC promotes ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the organization and all employees, including you. If you know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, it is your duty to report it.
I am not sure if what I have observed or heard is a violation of organizational policy, or involves unethical conduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?
Report it using one of the channels available to you! We'd rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possible unethical behavior go unchecked because you were unsure.
Does management really want me to report?
We certainly do. We need you to report because we cannot address concerns unless we first know about them. You know what is going on in our company - both good and bad. You may know of an activity that may be cause for concern. Your reporting can minimize the potential negative impact on the company and our people. Reporting may also help identify issues that can improve corporate culture and performance.
Isn’t this system just an example of someone watching over me?
The EthicsPoint system is a positive aspect of our philosophy of integrity and compliance and helps us ensure a safe, secure, and ethical workplace. You are encouraged to seek guidance on ethical dilemmas, provide positive suggestions, or communicate a concern. Effective communication is critical in today’s workplace, and this is a great tool to enhance that communication.
We have carefully chosen the best reporting tool to meet our compliance obligations while maintaining a positive reporting environment.
Specific Questions About EthicsPoint and Reports
What is EthicsPoint? Why do we need it?
EthicsPoint is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool to help management and employees work together to address fraud, abuse, and other workplace misconduct. An anonymous, confidential reporting system to report unethical behavior is a part of an effective compliance. The organization is committed to maintaining an effective compliance program to help foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
Can I report using either the internet or the telephone?
Yes. Reports from both methods are processed the same. You can file a report from any computer that can access the Internet. You can file from home, or in a public location. If you do not have access or are uncomfortable submitting online, you can call the toll-free hotline which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What if I remember something important about the incident after I file the report? Or what if the organization has further questions for me concerning my report?
When you file a report on the EthicsPoint website or through the EthicsPoint Call Center, you receive a unique report key and are asked to choose a password. You can return to the system, either by Internet or telephone, and access the original report. You can add more details, add attachments, ask questions, or respond to questions posted to you.
Will I be required to answer questions about my report?
It is helpful when you are available to answer additional questions. You are not required to do so. The EthicsPoint system provides functionality that allows an organization representative to post questions for your reported case and allow you to remain anonymous. We strongly suggest you use your report key and check to see if any questions have been posted to you after reporting.
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 under the umbrella of anonymity, if you chose to report anonymously.
Security, Confidentiality and Anonymity Questions
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly to a secure server to prevent possible breach in security. Reports are provided only to specific individuals within the organization charged with evaluating the report, based on the type of violation and location of the incident. Each of these report recipients has had training in keeping these reports in the utmost confidence.
What if my people leader or other members of leadership are involved in a violation? Won’t they get the report and start a cover-up?
No. The EthicsPoint report line is overseen by the ALSAC Corporate Compliance group. The review process for reports is designed to ensure implicated parties are not given access to reports in which they are named.
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. Will this log identify me as a report originator?
The EthicsPoint reporting system is run by an independent third-party company called NAVEX. NAVEX does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your computer to NAVEX is available. NAVEX is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work computer, you have the option of using a computer outside our work environment (such as one located at an Internet café, the library, at a friend’s house, etc.) through the EthicsPoint secure website. Many people choose this option, as EthicsPoint’s data shows that fewer than 12% of reports are generated during business hours.
Can I file a report from home and remain anonymous?
Yes. A report from home, a neighbor’s computer, or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the EthicsPoint system strips away IP addresses so that anonymity is maintained. Plus, NAVEX is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
I am concerned the information I provide EthicsPoint will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that will not happen?
The EthicsPoint system is designed to protect you. NAVEX is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity. To further ensure your anonymity, you – as the reporting party – need to be careful not to reveal identifying details as a part of your report. For example, “From my cube next to Jan Smith…” or “In my 33 years…”.
Is the telephone toll-free hot line confidential and anonymous 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 the EthicsPoint website. These reports have the same security and confidentiality measures applied to them during delivery.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
There is a section in the report for identifying yourself, if you wish. It is important to identify yourself for us to fully investigate.