Whistleblowers get outlet to report workplace corruption

Employers have a new partner in stamping out corrupt practices in the workplace.

Crime Stoppers Barbados today announced plans to roll out its Integrity Line, an anonymous and confidential whistleblowing service which it said is “highly effective in addressing issues of theft, bribery, harassment, embezzlement and other forms of wrongdoing in the workplace”.

The 800-service operates independently of the traditional Crime Stoppers programme.

“The value of having an Integrity Line available to your employees is immense,” said Acting Chairman of Crime Stoppers Barbados Jon Martineau. “It is a facility to call to share information about questionable or unethical behaviour in the workplace anonymously. In a close-knit environment like a workplace, anonymity is never guaranteed when sensitive information is shared. Having an Integrity Line available removes that fear.”

Crime Stoppers Barbados further highlighted that the Integrity Line provides employees with a safe and confidential outlet to expose any potentially dishonest, illegal, fraudulent or dangerous practices that employees may be undertaking in the workplace.

It cited serious issues such as sexual harassment; money laundering; age, race or gender discrimination; to less serious matters such as abuse of sick leave; small-scale theft; exploiting company credit cards for personal use; and other “minor” issues, among bad practices that can be reported.

Crime Stoppers noted that many companies around the world have used whistleblowing hotlines as a way to maintain good governance and employee relations in their organizations. It also provides a way for companies to stave off negative publicity by allowing management to deal with issues internally.

It added that the Integrity Line is a natural extension of its work in Barbados for more than ten years.
(BT/PR)