Question & Answer

What is EthicsPoint?

EthicsPoint is a confidential and anonymous Internet and telephone-based reporting tool that assists organizations in addressing fraud, abuse, and other illegal, or ethical violations in the workplace, while helping to promote a positive work environment.

May I report by either the Internet or the telephone?

Yes.  The toll-free hotline is 1-866-294-9544 or reports can be made to www.ethicspoint.com

Why do we need a system like EthicsPoint?

Employees are any organization’s most important asset.  By providing open channels of communication, Miami faculty and staff will be encouraged to create a safe and ethical work environment. Publicly traded companies, which are required by law (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) to have an anonymous reporting system, and other universities have found these systems to be an effective tool in promoting a positive working environment.

Does the administration really want me to report?

Yes.  You know what’s going on. You may have initial knowledge of an activity that is illegal, unethical, or in violation of University policy.  Your reporting can minimize the potential negative impact.

Why should I report?

We all have the right to work in a positive environment.  With that right, comes the responsibility to act in an ethical manner and to let the appropriate people know if someone is violating the law, acting unethically or engaging in conduct that violates University policy.

What type of situation should I report?

Miami is committed to preventing, detecting and correcting violations of law and University policy. EthicsPoint is designed to provide a process for good faith reporting of violations of law or regulations or other conduct that violates Miami policies.

However, EthicsPoint service is not meant to be a substitute for any existing methods at Miami that deal with the reporting of personal complaints of discrimination and sexual or other protected class harassment.  Nor is EthicsPoint designed to deal with faculty, staff or union grievances, all of which have specific processes. For example, http://www.units.muohio.edu/secretary/policies_guidelines/policy_info_manual/

If I see a violation, shouldn’t I report it to my manager or someone else in authority?

You certainly can and are encouraged to do so. If you are not comfortable reporting it directly, there are several good reasons to use EthicsPoint.  First, EthicsPoint ensures that your report goes to the appropriate people.  EthicsPoint reports can be filed anonymously and all report information is secure.

It's my understanding that any report I send from a university computer generates a server log that shows every Web site that I connect with.  Won't this log identify me as a report originator?

EthicsPoint doesn't generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses.  And while Miami would probably have the capability to create such logs, the University will not attempt to identify individuals using the EthicsPoint site.  Additionally, you could use an off-campus computer (most public libraries have computers) or report concerns via the toll-free hotline 1-866-294-9544. 

Can I file a report from home and still remain anonymous?

Yes.  A report from home, a neighbor’s or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous.  An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the EthicsPoint system strips away Internet addresses so that anonymity is maintained. Plus, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.

I am still concerned that information I provide EthicsPoint will ultimately reveal my identity.  Can you assure me this won’t happen?

The EthicsPoint system is designed to protect your anonymity.  As a reporting party, you do need to ensure that you don’t reveal your identity inadvertently, by providing comments such as “from my desk next to John Doe” or “in my 34 years of employment.”

Isn’t this just a Big Brother program?

No. This system concentrates on being a positive part of university culture.  It allows faculty, staff, students and others to report violations of law, regulation and University policy.  These violations are most often the result of lack of information, inadvertence or mistake.  On rare occasions violations are the result of deliberate misconduct. EthicsPoint provides us with the opportunity to correct our own mistakes. 

I’m aware of some individuals involved with violating the ethics rules, but it doesn’t affect me.  Why should I bother reporting it?

All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the University and all of us.

I’m not sure what I’ve observed is a violation of policy or violates the ethical rules.   What should I do?

File a report. It’s better to turn in a report on something that turns out to be harmless than to let possible unethical or illegal behavior go unchecked because you weren’t sure.

Where do the reports go?

Reports are entered directly on the EthicsPoint secure server.  EthicsPoint shares the reports only with specific individuals in the University.  

What if I remember something important about an incident after I've filed a report?

When you file a report, whether by toll-free hotline or over the Internet, you receive a unique user name and are asked to choose a password. You can return to the EthicsPoint system to either answer questions posed by a university representative or add further information that will help resolve issues. Basically, when you file a report you enter into an "anonymous dialogue" where situations are not only identified, but can be resolved, no matter how complex.

Are the follow-up reports as secure as the first ones?

Yes.

What if I want to be identified with my report?

You can identify yourself, if you wish to.

Can I still file a report if I don’t have access to the Internet?

Yes. Even if you don’t have a computer at work or at home, many locations (public libraries, etc.) have computers with access to the Internet.  But if you’re uncomfortable using a computer, you can call EthicsPoint toll-free number at 1-866-294-9544.  That number is available seven days a week, 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.

Is the telephone toll-free line confidential and anonymous, too?

Yes.

So where do I go to make a report?

Go directly to www.ethicspoint.com or call 1-866-294-9544.  If you have additional questions, go to the “How to Report” page on http://www.muohio.edu/ethicspoint