EthicsLine available to report unethical behavior confidentially

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

As part of Rice University’s commitment to maintaining an environment of ethical behavior and compliance with law and university policies, Rice offers an anonymous way for employees and others to voice their concerns about behavior in the workplace that may be unethical or improper.

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Any member of the Rice community can use a confidential reporting tool to express concerns about errors or irregularities in accounting/auditing/internal control processes, financial misconduct, potentially illegal employment practices or actions, research misconduct, sexual harassment, workplace violence, unsafe work conditions and other issues.

An outside vendor, EthicsPoint, provides a Web- and phone-based service that allows people to communicate openly and honestly with the university’s administration or board of trustees. Both EthicsPoint and the university know this type of communication is more likely to occur if the reporting party understands that the investigation of any report will be treated as confidentially as possible.

Faculty and staff members are still welcome and encouraged to communicate any concerns to the university through personal meetings with the offices of Human Resources, Internal Audit, General Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Risk Management or the deans. The EthicsPoint tool is intended to supplement Rice’s existing communications channels for employees who would otherwise not feel comfortable reporting their concerns in person.

The Web site includes frequently asked questions and a link to Rice policies. A toll-free number enables employees to speak with an EthicsPoint staff member who will lead them through the process of making a report. Reports may be made in English or Spanish.

Links to the EthicsLine can be found on the staff and faculty gateways on www.rice.edu and at www.rice.edu/ethics. The toll-free number is 866-294-4633.