What is EthicsPoint?
EthicsPoint is a confidential reporting tool that allows associates to report concerns or violations of our Code of Conduct or policies with the option of remaining anonymous.
May I report using either the Internet or the telephone?
Yes. With EthicsPoint, you have the ability to file a confidential, anonymous report via either the telephone or the Internet.
What type of situations should I report?
The EthicsPoint system is designed for employees to report any violation of our stated Code of Conduct, The Children’s Place policy, or similar type concern.
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, security, or human resources and let them deal with it?
When you observe some behavior that you believe or suspect violates our Code of Conduct or The Children’s Place policy, you have a responsibility to report it. The Children’s Place has an Open Communications Policy, and we encourage you to bring concerns to your manager, or other member of our management team. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner and, in those situations, you can use EthicsPoint to report your concerns.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on the EthicsPoint secure server. 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.
May I report anonymously?
Concerns or violations can be submitted by self-identifying or anonymously via the EthicsPoint website or hotline.
It is my understanding that any report I send from a company computer generates a server log that shows every web-site that my PC connects with, and won’t this log identify me as a report originator?
EthicsPoint does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your PC to EthicsPoint is available. In fact, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work computer or device, you can use another computer or device outside the work environment, or you can call the Ethics Hotline.
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 - 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 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 Web site. These reports have the same security and confidentiality measures applied to them during delivery.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
You have the option of identifying yourself. In certain instances, identifying yourself may help the investigation.
I am aware of some individuals involved with unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
The Children’s Place expects associates who are aware or suspect that unethical conduct is occurring to report it. At the end of the day, any unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts The Children’s Place and its associates, including you. In accordance with our Code of Conduct, if you observe or suspect any violation of the Code or other policies, it is your responsibility 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 and you give us the opportunity to look into it.
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 are designed so 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 at the EthicsPoint Web site or through the Ethics Hotline, 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 in the time specified to answer company questions. You and the company now have entered into an “anonymous dialogue,” where situations are not only identified, but 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 to the same level of confidence as the initial report, continuing under the umbrella of anonymity (if chosen to remain anonymous).
Can I still file a report if I don’t have access to the Internet?
You can file an EthicsPoint report from any computer that can access the Internet. You can file from home. Many public locations, including the public library, have Internet computers. If you don’t have access to or are uncomfortable using a computer, you can call the Ethics Hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.