Protecting whistle-blowers – addressing misconduct and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace

Abstract

In June 2022, the final report titled Enough is Enough from the WA Parliamentary Inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the fly-in fly-out (FIFO) mining industry uncovered appalling behaviour in the industry. The inquiry called on companies in the resources sector to remove the barriers that deter some workers from making complaints by using anonymous reporting platforms – such as Crime Stoppers WA’s ‘Safe2Say’. This paper, delivered by Shane Entriken, Partner of Piper Alderman and Board Member of Crime Stoppers WA, and Dr Vince Hughes, CEO of Crime Stoppers WA, will briefly touch upon the current laws and requirements on whistle-blower protections, and employer duties to workers and addressing misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. It will then describe how the anonymous two-way integrity reporting platform Safe2Say, enables companies to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, and build trust. This innovative and not-for-profit platform has been developed by leveraging off Crime Stoppers WA 25 years of experience and expertise. It is a tool that enhances organisational culture, reputation and worker well-being by providing a safe, external, independent, trusted platform to report misconduct or inappropriate workplace behaviour, such as sexual assault, aggression, bullying, harassment. Safe2Say is unique in that it provides a two-way chat facility and guaranteed anonymity to the person making a complaint. It is unique as the reporter cannot be traced.