PATA Whistleblowing – Confidential Reporting

PATA has a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct, malpractice, or fraud and will take all reports seriously regardless of the source of the allegation. We provide a secure, confidential, and straightforward reporting system to ensure all concerns are handled fairly, responsibly, thoroughly, and in line with PATA’s Whistleblowing and Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policies.

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What is whistleblowing?

Whistle-blowing is a term used to describe a situation in which an PATA employee, team or board member, contractor, network member, volunteer or any other individual linked or associated with PATA raises a concern about possible malpractice, fraud, crime, danger or any other serious risk that could threaten colleagues, our partners, the public, or the integrity and reputation of PATA.

The difference between a whistle-blowing issue and an employee or contractor grievance is that in the case of whistleblowing, the concern is about a danger or illegality that has a public interest to it.

An employee or contractor grievance, by contrast, is a dispute about the employee’s own employment position or the contractors service level agreement and has no additional public interest dimension. There is a separate policy for raising employment or contract related grievances.

What Misconduct and Safeguarding Breaches Should Be Reported?

You should submit a report if you witness or suspect any of the following (but not limited to):

• Fraud, financial irregularity, corruption, bribery, blackmail, or falsifying financial claims and reports
• Sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect, or abuse of power and bullying
• Unfair treatment of an individual or group based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, political opinion, culture, language, or any other personal characteristic
• Failure to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, endangering the health and safety of any individual, or other criminal offenses
• Concealing any of the above-listed activities

Protection and Confidentiality Choices

PATA has an appointed Whistleblowing focal person (a board member) and a defined process to investigate all reports. The focal person receives reports through a confidential, dedicated, and direct email alert. Any person reporting will be protected from discrimination and/or reprisal in any form.

When submitting, you must choose one of the following paths:

• Confidential Reporting: Your identity will only be known to those who handle your case in confidence. Your identity will appear anonymous to others in case processing and will not be disclosed within the organization without your agreement. Your agreement to disclose your identity will only be requested if necessary for internal processing. This registers your case so you can document your right to protection under whistleblower legislation from the first contact made. If law requires your identity to be disclosed, the whistleblowing focal person will discuss this with you beforehand
• Anonymous Reporting: Choose this if you prefer not to provide your identity to anyone in the process. Be aware that reporting anonymously may make it difficult to invoke protection under whistleblower legislation at a later date. If you choose this option, you must make sure you do not leave electronic traces (e.g., check your uploaded files for metadata and do not use an employer-provided PC or mobile phone)

Note: If reporting anonymously, please ensure you have checked and removed personal metadata from your uploaded files.