Feel safe speaking up
Report a new incident
If you are part of an organisation that already uses Safecall and you’d like to make a report click below:
Update existing concern
Check for an update from your employer, or, to give feedback to a reporter about an ongoing investigation:
At ICAEW, our ambition is to be an organisation where both employees and active members can join, develop, and thrive. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive culture where individuals feel a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to reach their full potential.
We are focused on creating an environment where everyone feels confident, respected, and able to contribute, a place where ICAEW employees and active members have the confidence to speak up and know their voice will be heard.
We believe our culture of openness and accountability encourages employees to raise concerns through established internal channels, such as their line manager or for active members through ICAEW’s Governance Office. However, we recognise that in some circumstances, this may not feel appropriate. For that reason, we provide access to an independent and confidential whistleblowing service, delivered by Safecall, which is available to both ICAEW employees and active members.
By upholding these values together, we can continue to make ICAEW a place where people are proud to work and contribute to the profession.
Alan Vallance, CEO
A
When do I Speak Up?
ICAEW takes whistleblowing very seriously and is committed to independently investigate any allegations raised. If you see or suspect any wrong-doing ICAEW wants to hear about it. You don’t need to have any proof that these things are happening – if you have a reasonable belief, you should report your concerns. Instances in which you should use this independent “Speak Up” service are detailed in the FAQs section below.
The “Speak Up” service is not for grievances. A grievance is usually a complaint about something that impacts a colleague as an individual, like how they feel they’re being treated at work. Please see the FAQ’s section below for more information.
How do I Speak Up?
You can contact your, free and confidential, “Speak up” service 24/7 in two ways, as follows:
1. By calling Safecall on: 0800 915 1571 (stating whether you are employed by ICAEW)
For a full list of country freephone numbers visit: www.safecall.co.uk/file-a-report/telephone-numbers/
2. Online through the ‘Report an Incident’ button above (selecting whether you are employed directly by ICAEW)
Your report won’t be traced and Safecall has trained operators to support you. Please see FAQs section below for tips when submitting your report. Reports can be submitted anonymously.
3. Reporting by active members/workers
You should quote ICAEW as your company name when reporting a concern
Frequently Asked Questions
My concern is related to bullying, harassment in the workplace or other HR grievance. What should I do?
The “Speak Up” service is not for grievances. It’s important to understand that whistleblowing is different to a grievance. Both are equally important and need to be investigated. A grievance is usually a complaint about something that impacts a colleague as an individual, like how they feel they’re being treated at work. For ICAEW employees/workers there are separate Anti Bullying & Harassment and Grievance policies which include processes to manage these concerns and details can be found either in Connect or from Human Resources. For active members there is the Active Member Conduct Procedure.
In line with Equality of Human Rights Commission guidance on sexual harassment and harassment at work, if you believe you have experienced harassment in the workplace you may use Safecall to report it anonymously if you don’t feel you can go through the standard reporting process.
How will my concern be investigated?
If you contact Safecall through the online ‘Report an incident’ option above, your report will be managed in confidence. Safecall will pass all the information you give, apart from your name if you wish, to ICAEW who will make sure your concern is investigated thoroughly, confidentially and independently. If we need more information to help progress our investigation, we’ll post a request on the Safecall website which you can access using the username and password provided during your original report. You can provide further information, or request feedback on your concern, via the Safecall website.
Can I raise a concern anonymously?
With Safecall, you have the option to be anonymous, semi anonymous or a named reporter.
If you are anonymous, you will not reveal your identity to Safecall, or ICAEW. You will be given a unique code to log into the online portal in order to message the investigator at ICAEW.
You may also choose to be semi-anonymous, this means you will share your contact details with Safecall, so you can receive updates via email if there has been any messages for you left by the investigator. This allows you to keep up to date with your case, without sharing your identity with ICAEW.
You may feel more comfortable raising a concern anonymously. Please be aware that an anonymous report may impact our ability to investigate and resolve the matter successfully, and if the investigator can contact you, it may help them fully understand the issue and take appropriate action.
Who are Safecall?
Safecall is a completely independent company that operates a confidential reporting hotline for many global businesses and charities. The service is available to all ICAEW colleagues and active members 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is staffed by professional call handlers based in the UK.
When should I use this ‘speak up’ service?
You should use this independent “Speak Up” service if you see or suspect:
- Criminal activity
- A failure to comply with legal, professional or regulatory obligations
- A miscarriage of justice
- A health and safety breach or danger
- Environmental issues such as a risk or actual damage to ICAEW’s environment
- Bribery or corruption as set out in our Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy
- Modern Slavery
- Financial fraud or mis-management
- Insider Threats
- Deliberate concealment of any of the above
What should I include in my report?
As part of your report please think about providing clear details about where and when the issue occurred. This should include location, dates and any colleagues or active members involved / aware. This will make our investigations a lot easier.
Who at ICAEW will receive my report?
The report is sent to the Chief People Officer and / or Chief Financial Officer who will allocate the information provided to the most appropriate person in the organisation to review and decide next steps.
It’s important that we keep things confidential, so we may not be able to tell you about the investigations or actions we take in relation to the issue you’ve told us about, however where any updates are provided these are to be treated as confidential.
If I don’t work in the UK does this process still apply to me?
Yes! Safecall is a global service, and operates in all languages. Please see options here: https://www.safecall.co.uk/file-a-report/
Report a new incident
If you are part of an organisation that already uses Safecall and you’d like to make a report click below:
Review an ongoing case
Check for an update from your employer, or, to give feedback to a reporter about an ongoing investigation: