Whistle Blower Policy: An Employee Reporting Line (ERL)

Policy Name: Whistle Blower Policy: An Employee Reporting Line (ERL)             
Policy Number: 03-06-002     
Accountable Senior Administrator: Chief of Staff
Issued: May 11, 2020
Last Updated: May 11, 2020

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the University to promote a safe and professional work environment for all employees. Consistent with this policy, employees are encouraged to report violations of law and NJCU policies and procedures of which they have personal knowledge. 

Reason for the Policy

This policy is intended to set the framework to support the recently implemented business processes covering the Employee Reporting Line, which is hosted by In2Vate, a third-party vendor.

Stakeholders Affected by Policy

• All employees including faculty

Definitions

ERL - Employee Reporting Line

CRMT - Collective Risk Management Team: Those officials assigned to work on the reported case

Case - The referrals sent to the NJCU Administrator (the Internal Auditor) from the In2Vate call center

Policy Text

It is the policy of the University to promote a safe and professional work environment for all employees. Consistent with this policy, employees are encouraged to report violations of law and NJCU policies and procedures of which they have personal knowledge. 

In accordance with its obligations under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 34:19-1 et seq, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, New Jersey City University will not take any retaliatory action against an employee making a report of a suspicion of wrongdoing under this Whistleblower Policy. 

This policy does not replace NJCU policies and procedures covering internal complaints alleging discrimination in the workplace.

Procedures 

Because an employee may find it difficult to report a violation that requires identification of the reporter, provisions have been made to permit employees with any such concerns to make a report without disclosure of their identification. In order to exercise this option, employees may call 1(800) 576-5262. The organization code for NJCU is 30092. This toll- free line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Employees will be notified of this policy and the reporting procedure via a NJCU Communication that will be distributed immediately after policy approval. The Human Resources Department will support Internal Audit by coordinating distribution to include the request that employees acknowledge receipt. The notification will include instructions on precisely how to utilize the hotline system. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated as appropriate and confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

Violations

Employees are prohibited from making false or intentionally misleading reports. If an employee is found to make a false or misleading report, appropriate action will be taken.

Related Policies and Documents

Additional Employee Reporting Mechanisms:

Responsibility

• Internal Audit

Contact for Questions

Monica de los Rios
mdelosrios@njcu.edu