EMployee Concerns
Employees have the right – and the responsibility – to identify and report improper governmental activities and environment, health and safety concerns and to do so without fear of reprisal. Employees are encouraged to discuss concerns with their immediate supervisor, any level of management, or their human resources representative. In cases where employees (including subcontractors) or others are unable or do not wish to raise issues to management, are uncomfortable doing so, or wish to report retaliation, alternative mechanisms for reporting are available. In all cases, employees have the right to a respectful, prompt and effective response to their concerns.
In accordance with University policy, LBNL has designated a Locally Designated Official to receive allegations of improper governmental activity and an Investigations Workgroup, comprising senior operations management, to oversee investigations of such allegations. The Charter of the Investigiations Workgroup is available here. To learn more about the Laboratory polices for reporting and investigating allegations and protection from retaliation, go to (RPM Sections 2.05 J and 2.05 K). Retaliation is also addressed in RPM 2.01A.2.d, RPM 2.01.3.a, and RPM 2.05D. In addition, Contract 31, Clause I.61, provides Laboratory employees and subcontractor employees (performing work on behalf of DOE directly related to activities at DOE-owned or -leased sites) with protection under 10 CFR 708, the DOE contractor employee protection program. Contact the DOE Office of Hearings and Appeals for more information.
Other Links:
- University of California Statement of Ethical Values
- University of California Standards of Ethical Conduct
- LBNL Worker Rights Poster: You Have the Right to a Safe and Healthful Workplace
- Secretary of Energy Employee Concerns Program Statement
- DOE Order 442.1A Employee Concerns Program Contractor Requirements Document
- DOE Order 221.1A Reporting Fraud, Waste and Abuse to the Office of Inspector General
- Whistleblower Protections Under the Recovery Act (PL 111-5)
- What happens when I report using the hotline, safetyconcerns@lbl, or the EHS suggestions form?
Resources
The internal and external resources identified below are also listed on Laboratory and UC posters on bulletin boards throughout the workplace:
LBNL Hotline (non-emergency) |
800-403-4744 or www.universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline |
| EHS concerns and suggestions | www.lbl.gov/ehs/refs/safety_concern.shtml or 510-486-5514 |
LBNL Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office |
510-486-7635 |
DOE Inspector General Hotline |
800-541-1625 |
DOE Employee Concerns Program Hotline (Chicago)* |
800-701-9966 |
California Bureau of State Audits |
800-952-5665 |
California State Attorney General’s Office |
800-952-5225 |
Additional resources:
Collective Bargaining Representatives |
AFSCME, CNA, CUE, KB, UPTE |
Human Resources Department |
510-486-7950 |
LBNL Internal Audit Services |
510-486-4472 |
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*By mail: US DOE Employee Concerns Program Manager, 900 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne IL 60439.
What happens when I report?
LBNL participates in UC's systemwide confidential, 24 hour hotline and online reporting service provided by Ethics Point. The service provides for a "call-back" that allows the Laboratory to ask questions of, or provide information to callers without compromising anonymity. Reports, which can be anonymous at the discretion of the caller, are distributed to the University of California Director of Investigations, the LBNL Internal Audit Department, and the RIIO. The RIIO initiates the triage process and will open an investigation if the report alleges an improper governmental activity (IGA) and there is sufficient information upon which to pursue an investigation. If the concern does not represent a potential IGA, the matter may be referred for a non-investigative review.
Email sent to safetyconcerns@lbl.gov and anonymous suggestions submitted online via the EHS suggestions form are automatically directed to the EHS Division Director and Deputy Division Director, the EHS Group Leader for Occupational Safety, the EHS safety concerns coordinator, and the RIIO. The concerns coordinator logs the concern, performs initial triage and closes the loop with the concerned individual.
LBNL Employee Concerns Program Contact
LBNL's Employee Concerns Program Manager is Meredith Montgomery, Research and Institutional Integrity Officer, 510-486-4453, memontgomery@lbl.gov. You may also contact the RIIO Principal Analyst, Molly Stoufer, 510-486-5820, mestoufer@lbl.gov. The senior executive with oversight of this program is Jim Krupnick, Chief Operating Officer.
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