1. Purpose
A whistleblower is a person related to the Network who reports information that might show misconduct or other inappropriate activity that has occurred within the Network. The Act provides protections for certain whistleblowers in certain circumstances, and the Network is committed to recognising and upholding those protections.
A person working for the Network who falls in to one or more of the following categories may be eligible for whistleblower protection under the Act (eligible person):
a) a director of a company within the franchise network including Right at Home Australia;
b) an employee or member of management or officer within the Network; and
c) a n employee or an individual contractor supplying goods and services to the Network (regardless of whether they are paid for doing so) or the contractor’s employee.
2. Policy
The policy does not form part of the terms of employment or engagement of any employee or individual contractor.
This policy applies if any eligible person knows of information and has reasonable grounds to suspect the information concerns misconduct, or an improper state of affairs or circumstances, in relation to the Network or a related body corporate. In that event, they will have legal protection under the Act and this policy if they disclose that information to:
a) the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC);
b) a director or officer; or
c) the following person authorised by the Network to receive disclosures that may qualify for protection under the Act (Whistleblower Protection Officer(s)):
Quality and Compliance Manager, Right at Home Australia, 07 3177 9906
In addition, a disclosure to any officer or senior manager of the Network or a related body corporate, an auditor, or a member of an audit team conducting an audit, of the Network or related body corporate or an actuary of the Network or a related body corporate may qualify for protection.
An example of conduct that may be the subject of a protected disclosure includes information concerning a contravention of the Act, an offence against any other law of the Commonwealth that is punishable by imprisonment for a period of 12 months or more, or conduct that represents a danger to the public or the financial system.
A disclosure of information by an individual concerning a personal work-related grievance does not qualify for protection (except where the grievance is about a breach of the whistleblowing protections).
In particular, a grievance about any matter in relation to the discloser’s employment, or former employment, having (or tending to have) implications for the discloser personally will not qualify where it does not have significant implications for the Network.
Examples are:
a) an interpersonal conflict between the discloser and another employee;
b) a decision relating to the engagement, transfer or promotion of the discloser;
c) a decision relating to the terms and conditions of engagement of the discloser; and
d) a decision to suspend or terminate the engagement of the discloser, or otherwise to discipline the discloser.
There is no requirement for a discloser to identify him or herself for a disclosure to qualify for protection.
A disclosure of information by an individual qualifies for protection if the disclosure is made to a legal practitioner for the purpose of obtaining legal advice or legal representation in relation to the operation of these laws. A disclosure concerning a personal work related grievance that is made to a legal practitioner may qualify for protection.
3. Investigation of disclosures
Right at Home Australia will investigate all disclosures made by a person under this policy, as is appropriate, as soon as reasonably practicable after the disclosure has been made. A Whistleblower Protection Officer may, with the consent of the whistleblower, appoint a person/(s) to assist in the investigation of a disclosure.
The investigation will be conducted independently of any person who is the subject of the disclosure. Where appropriate, such persons will be informed of the allegations and provided with the opportunity to respond.
While the particulars of the investigation process will be determined by the nature and substance of the disclosure, if the disclosure is not anonymous, a Whistleblower Protection Officer or investigator will contact the whistleblower as soon as practicable upon receipt of the disclosure to discuss the investigation process including who may be contacted and such other matters as are relevant to the investigation.
Where appropriate, Right at Home Australia will provide feedback to the whistleblower regarding the progress and/or outcome of the investigation.
Where a report is submitted anonymously, Right at Home Australia will conduct the investigation based on the information provided.
Any findings of the investigation related to criminal activity will be reported to the police and/or regulators.
4. Protection for whistleblowers
The Network will support whistleblowers and protect them from detriment in the following ways:
(a) Protection from detrimental conduct
If a person makes a disclosure that qualifies for protection they will not be subject to any disciplinary or other detrimental action by the Network. This includes (but is not limited to) protection from:
I. termination of employment;
II. disciplinary action;
III. performance management;
IV. bullying or harassment; or
V. unlawful discrimination.
The Network will ensure no person on its behalf victimises or threatens detrimental action against a person because of the disclosure.
(b) Protection of the identity of the whistleblower
Except in the circumstances specified below, the Network will not disclose the information, the identity of the discloser and any information that is likely to lead to the identification of the discloser, unless the discloser agrees.
The circumstances in which the Network may disclose the information are where disclosure is made:
I. to ASIC, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australian Federal Police or to a Commonwealth authority, or a state or territory authority, for the purpose of assisting the authority in the performance of its functions or duties;
II. to a lawyer to obtain legal advice or legal representation in relation to the operation of the whistleblowing provisions; and/or
III. because it is reasonably necessary to do so for the purposes of Right at Home Australia investigating a matter to which the qualifying disclosure relates (in which case the Right at Home Australia will ensure the disclosure does not identify the whistleblower and will take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk the discloser will be identified as a result of the disclosure).
(c) Protection of files and records
All files and records created from an investigation will be securely retained.
(d) Additional support
The Network recognises that making a disclosure as a whistleblower can be stressful. If a person who makes a disclosure is an employee of the Network, they may access a Confidential Counselling Service, and may also request additional support.
While the Network may not be able to provide the same level of counselling support to other whistleblowers, the Network will look at ways to provide support to the extent reasonably possible.
Variations
Right at Home Australia reserves the right to vary, replace or terminate this Policy from time to time.
Referring documents
HR-058 Code of Conduct
HR-011 Values for Ethical Behaviour
