What is EthicsPoint?
EthicsPoint is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool created by a third-party vendor, NAVEX, which supports the company's Ethics Help Line. The EthicsPoint system is designed for individuals to report any suspected violation of laws, regulations or company policy, including our Code of Ethics, or any other concerns you may have.
What type of situations should I report?
We each have a right and responsibility to ask questions when we are uncertain, share concerns when we are troubled and raise ideas when we see opportunities to improve. Cigna's Duty to Report policy requires that all company directors, agents and workforce members, no matter their role, must report suspected violations. The company provides an Ethics Help Line to receive reports of suspected violations or requests for guidance about ethical obligations or how to comply with applicable law, the Code or company policy or procedure.
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager or the Ethics Office?
When you observe behavior that you believe violates our Code of Ethics, we expect you to report it. We recognize that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue to your manager or another employee. It is for such circumstances that we have partnered with EthicsPoint. We would rather you report confidentially than keep the information to yourself.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on the EthicsPoint secure server to prevent any possible breach in security. EthicsPoint makes these reports available only to specific individuals within the company who are 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.
Can I file a report and remain anonymous?
Reports may be made anonymously, where local laws allow; however, we encourage reporters to provide contact information to assist the company in responding to reports. Reporters must understand that if an anonymous complaint lacks sufficient information, a full investigation may not be possible.
Does NAVEX capture caller ID or IP addresses that might reveal my identity?
NAVEX does not capture the telephone number of incoming calls to the Ethics Help Line and does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses for reports made online. Moreover, NAVEX is contractually committed not to pursue a reporting individual’s identity.
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 is designed to protect your anonymity. However, if you wish to remain anonymous, you need to ensure that the body of the report does not reveal your identity by accident. For example, including something such as “From my cube next to Jan Smith…” may inadvertently reveal who you are.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
There is a section in the report for identifying yourself, if you wish.
I am aware of individuals involved with unethical conduct but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
Our company chooses to promote ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees. So if you know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, consider it your duty to yourself and your coworkers 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 because you weren't sure.
What if my boss or other managers are involved in a violation?
The EthicsPoint system and the way in which the report is shared with the company are designed so that implicated parties are not notified or granted access to reports in which they have been named.
The company prohibits retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports a suspected violation or participates in an investigation of a suspected violation. Individuals shall not be disciplined, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner retaliated or discriminated against for making such a report or participating in an investigation. Anyone who engages in or condones conduct in violation of the company’s Anti-Retaliation Policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. That policy does not prevent the company from taking appropriate disciplinary action against an individual who is found to have violated the law, the Code or company policies or procedures, whether or not that person reported the suspected violation.
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 at the EthicsPoint Web site or through the EthicsPoint Call Center, you receive a unique user name and are asked to choose 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 and add further information that will help resolve open issues. We strongly suggest that you return to the site to respond to any company questions or requests. You and the company now have entered into a confidential dialogue where situations are not only identified, but they can also be resolved, no matter how complex.
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 confidentiality.