Multi-Channel Access: Four Ways to Report Concerns Safely
Safecall provides multi-channel access to whistleblowing services through four distinct reporting channels: telephone hotline, web portal, mobile platform, and email reporting. This comprehensive multi-channel approach ensures every employee can report concerns using the method that suits them best.
Four Reporting Channels Available 24/7, 365 days per year (inc. coverage for all global holidays)
1. Telephone Hotline
2. Web Portal
3. Mobile Platform
4. Email Reporting
Why Multi-Channel Access Matters
Different employees prefer different reporting methods based on:
- Personal comfort levels – Some prefer speaking, others prefer writing
- Accessibility needs – Not all employees have constant computer access
- Nature of the concern – Complex emotional issues often suit telephone reporting
- Location and timing – Remote workers may prefer online channels
- Language barriers – Telephone interpreting vs written translation needs
- Anonymity preferences – Different channels offer different anonymity levels
Organisations that provide true channel choice see significantly higher reporting rates and better quality reports.
Channel 1: Telephone Hotline (24/7/365)
Gold Standard Call Handling
Safecall’s telephone hotline is not a scripted call centre. Our call handlers are:
- Former UK police officers with minimum 25 years’ investigative experience
- Trained in difficult conversations and sensitive subject matters
- Skilled at empathetic listening without interrupting
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Working on three-shift rota systems to ensure continuous coverage
Multilingual Support
Our telephone hotline provides interpretation services in 175+ languages:
- Automatic language selection – Callers offered languages appropriate to their location
- Partnership with two global interpreting providers – Access to 100+ languages
- No language barriers – Every caller can speak in their native language
- Professional interpreters – High-quality, confidential interpretation
Free International Access
We provide free telephone access from 126 countries with dedicated local or toll-free numbers:
- Europe – 42 countries with dedicated numbers
- Asia Pacific – 30 countries covered
- Americas – 35 countries with free access
- Middle East & Africa – 39 countries served
View complete country telephone numbers list
No Time Limits
There are no time limits to whistleblower calls. Our call handlers take as long as needed to:
- Put callers at ease
- Gather accurate information
- Produce high-quality, detailed reports
- Allow emotional concerns to be expressed fully
Telephone Hotline Benefits
Higher quality reports:
- 55% more likely to be named reports (vs online)
- 50% more likely to capture bullying, harassment, or discrimination concerns
- More detailed context through natural conversation
- Better rapport building
Immediate support:
- Real-time empathy and reassurance
- Questions answered during the call
- Emotional validation for distressed callers
- Professional guidance on what happens next
Channel 2: Web Portal (Online Reporting)
Secure Online Submission
Our web-based reporting portal allows employees to submit concerns through a secure, encrypted platform:
- Anonymous or named reporting – Reporter chooses their identity preference
- Document uploads – Attach evidence, screenshots, or supporting files
- Structured reporting forms – Guided questions ensure complete information
- Unique case reference number – Generated for tracking and follow-up
Available in 60+ Languages
The web portal supports online reporting in 60+ languages:
- Original language submission – Reporter writes in their native language
- Professional translation – We provide client with original plus English translation
- No language barriers – Wide language coverage for global workforces
- Clear, accessible interface – Simple navigation in any language
Two-Way Messaging
The web portal enables anonymous two-way dialogue:
- Log back in using case reference number
- View messages from investigators
- Respond to follow-up questions
- Receive status updates
- Maintain complete anonymity throughout
Web Portal Benefits
Written record:
- Reporter can carefully compose their report
- Time to gather supporting evidence
- Permanent record of what was submitted
- No pressure of real-time conversation
Accessibility:
- Available 24/7 from any internet connection
- No need to schedule time for a call
- Suitable for remote workers
- Can be accessed from home or office
Channel 3: Mobile Platform (Responsive Access)
Mobile-Optimised Experience
Our reporting platform is fully mobile-responsive, ensuring it works equally well on:
- Mobile phones – Optimised for smaller screens
- Tablets – Scaled for tablet interfaces
- Desktop computers – Full functionality on all devices
- Any operating system – Works on iOS, Android, Windows, and more
Report On the Go
Mobile access means employees can:
- Report immediately when concerns arise
- Submit from any location – No need to wait until at a computer
- Upload photos directly from mobile camera
- Access secure portal whilst travelling or working remotely
- Receive notifications of case updates (if opted in)
Same Security on Mobile
The mobile platform maintains all security features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Secure login with case reference numbers
- Anonymous reporting capability
- Two-way messaging access
- GDPR-compliant data protection
Mobile Platform Benefits
Immediate access:
- Report at the moment of witnessing misconduct
- No delay waiting for computer access
- Capture evidence with phone camera
- Submit from anywhere, anytime
Convenience:
- Familiar mobile interface
- Quick submission process
- Touch-optimised forms
- Notification options
Channel 4: Email Reporting
Direct Email Submission
In most cases, Safecall provides clients with a unique, confidential email address for report submission:
- Direct submission – Send concerns via email
- Document attachments – Include supporting evidence
- Written format – Compose reports in email format
- Confidential routing – Emails go directly to Safecall, not internal IT systems
Professional Processing
All email reports are:
- Acknowledged immediately – Confirmation of receipt
- Professionally processed – Converted into case management system
- Assigned case reference numbers – For tracking and follow-up
- Subject to same investigation protocols – Equal treatment regardless of channel
Translation Services
Email reports benefit from our translation capabilities:
- Submit in any language
- Professional translation to English provided
- Original language report preserved
- Client receives both versions
Email Reporting Benefits
Flexible composition:
- Write and revise before sending
- Include detailed chronologies
- Forward existing email evidence
- Carbon copy multiple documents
Familiar format:
- Everyone knows how to use email
- No new system to learn
- Can include colleagues as witnesses
- Easy to provide updates via reply
Multi-Channel Reporting Statistics
Our data shows the importance of offering all four channels:
Telephone vs Online Reporting
- 55% more named reports via telephone than online
- 50% higher likelihood of capturing harassment/bullying concerns via telephone
- Emotional issues more readily discussed via telephone
- Complex situations often better explained through conversation
Channel Preferences Vary by Demographics
- Younger employees – Often prefer web or mobile channels
- Older employees – May favour telephone or email
- Remote workers – Heavy users of web and mobile platforms
- Front-line staff – Often prefer telephone from personal devices
- Office-based employees – Mix of all channels depending on concern type
Higher Overall Reporting with Multi-Channel
Organisations offering all four channels see:
- Increased total report volume
- Greater diversity of concerns captured
- Higher employee satisfaction with reporting process
- Improved compliance with regulatory requirements
Regulatory Compliance Through Multi-Channel Access
EU Whistleblowing Directive Requirements
The EU Directive mandates that organisations must provide:
- Both verbal and written reporting channels
- Accessible methods for all potential reporters
- Impartial and competent handling of all channels
Safecall’s multi-channel approach ensures full compliance:
- Telephone = verbal reporting requirement ✓
- Web, mobile, email = written reporting requirement ✓
- All channels handled by independent experts ✓
UK Whistleblowing Regulations
UK guidance recommends multiple reporting routes:
- Internal and external options
- Various communication methods
- Accessible 24/7 availability
- Support for employees with disabilities
Our four-channel system exceeds UK requirements.
Global Best Practice
International standards increasingly recognise that channel choice is essential for:
- Maximising accessibility
- Encouraging reporting
- Capturing complete information
- Meeting diverse employee needs
Integrated Case Management
All four reporting channels feed into one unified case management system:
Single Platform for All Reports
- Reports from telephone, web, mobile, and email appear in same system
- Consistent case numbering across all channels
- Unified investigation workflow regardless of submission method
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics across all channels
Seamless Investigation Process
Investigators work with all reports through:
- Centrally managed cases – No matter which channel used
- Consistent data fields – Standardised information capture
- Integrated document storage – All evidence in one place
- Cross-channel follow-up – Can switch channels for follow-up communication
Implementation and Support
Quick Setup Across All Channels
Implementing Safecall’s multi-channel system is straightforward:
- Telephone hotline – Can be set up within 24 hours
- Web portal – Custom-branded for your organisation
- Mobile access – Automatically available with web portal
- Email reporting – Unique address configured rapidly
Promotional Support
We provide materials to promote all channels:
- Posters – Showing all four reporting methods
- Wallet cards – Contact details for telephone and web
- Intranet content – For web and mobile promotion
- Email templates – Introducing the email reporting option
Training and Awareness
Our training programmes cover:
- How to use each channel
- When each channel is most appropriate
- Anonymity features of each method
- What happens after reports are submitted
Choosing the Right Channel
Decision Guide for Reporters
Use the telephone hotline if you:
- Want to talk through your concerns
- Have an emotional or sensitive issue
- Prefer speaking to writing
- Want immediate empathy and support
- Need help articulating the issue
Use the web portal if you:
- Prefer to write your concerns
- Want to carefully compose your report
- Need to upload documents
- Want complete anonymity
- Prefer no conversation
Use the mobile platform if you:
- Need to report immediately
- Don’t have computer access
- Want to photograph evidence
- Are working remotely
- Travel frequently
Use email reporting if you:
- Have existing email evidence
- Prefer familiar email format
- Want to forward correspondence
- Need to include multiple documents
- Want written confirmation of submission
Why All Four Channels Are Essential
Some whistleblowing providers offer only one or two channels. At Safecall, we believe all four channels are necessary because:
Accessibility is Not Optional
- Not providing telephone excludes employees who cannot write well
- Not providing online excludes employees without privacy for calls
- Not providing mobile excludes remote and travelling workers
- Not providing email excludes those wanting familiar format
Quality Varies by Channel
- Telephone produces more detailed emotional reports
- Web produces more structured factual reports
- Mobile enables immediate evidence capture
- Email allows inclusion of existing correspondence
True Choice Increases Reporting
Employees report more readily when they can:
- Choose their preferred method
- Switch channels for follow-up
- Use different channels for different concerns
- Feel empowered by choice
Technical Specifications
Security Across All Channels
All four reporting channels provide:
- End-to-end encryption – Data protected in transit and at rest
- Secure authentication – Access controls for portal and email
- No audio recording – Telephone calls not recorded
- No call line identification – Telephone anonymity preserved
- GDPR compliance – Full data protection adherence
- ISO 27001 standards – Information security management
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform – Enterprise-grade infrastructure
Availability and Uptime
- 24/7/365 telephone availability – Three-shift rota system
- 99.9% web platform uptime – Robust hosting infrastructure
- Mobile-responsive at all times – Continuous mobile access
- Email monitoring 24/7 – Rapid response to submissions
Getting Started with Multi-Channel Access
Safecall’s multi-channel reporting is included as standard in our whistleblowing service:
- All four channels available from day one
- No additional cost for multiple channels
- Fully integrated system – Seamless case management
- Comprehensive support – Training and promotional materials included