General Questions

What is the University’s Whistleblower Policy?

The Whistleblower Policy provides the University’s implementing procedures for the California Whistleblower Protection Act. It describes how you can file a report of “improper governmental activities,” and provides the procedures the University follows in addressing whistleblower reports.

What is the University’s Whistleblower Retaliation Policy?

The Whistleblower Protection Policy describes the protections available to employees and applicants who have filed a whistleblower complaint, and how to file a complaint of retaliation. This policy applies specifically to individuals who believe they have been retaliated against because they are whistleblowers. You must have made a “protected disclosure” and suffered an “adverse personnel action” as a result for your complaint to be eligible for review under the Whistleblower Protection Policy.

Who can help me understand the policies and procedures?

We know the policies and processes for filing can be intimidating or confusing. For more information, you can or send an email to ecas@ucop.edu to ask for assistance. We encourage all individuals who are aware of misconduct to report what they know, and we will do what we can to make the process as simple as possible.

Whistleblowers/Reporters

What does it mean to be a “whistleblower?”

A whistleblower is someone who reports either of the following:

  • An improper governmental activity
  • A condition that may significantly threaten the health or safety of employees or the public, if the disclosure was made for the purpose of remedying the condition
  • A serious or substantial violation of a University policy

You do not have to be affiliated with the University to make a whistleblower report. However, the actions you are reporting must be attributable to a University affiliate for us to address the report.

What is an improper governmental activity?

Examples include corruption, bribery, theft or misuse of University property, fraudulent claims, fraud, coercion, willful omission to perform duty, economic waste, gross misconduct, gross incompetence, gross inefficiency

How do I file a Whistleblower report?

You can make a Whistleblower report in any of the following ways:

  • Online through the Whistleblower Hotline (available 24/7)
  • Calling the Whistleblower Hotline (available 24/7)
  • In writing or verbally to your location’s
  • In writing or verbally to your supervisor, or other appropriate administrator or supervisor at your location

Please be prepared to provide as much detail as you have regarding the misconduct you are reporting. Include information about what you believe happened, when it happened, and who you believe is responsible.

Can I make a report anonymously?

Yes, you can make a report anonymously. If you report through the Whistleblower Hotline, we can communicate with you through the web portal without you needing to provide contact information. You can report anonymously to the LDO or a supervisor as well, but if we cannot contact you with questions, we may not be able to fully address your report.

Is my report confidential?

We maintain your confidentiality within the limits of the law, University policy, and the legitimate needs of any investigation. It is possible that, even if we maintain your confidentiality, a participant in an investigation may make assumptions about your identity based on the information you have provided. However, we have strict policies regarding retaliation and will respond to reports of retaliation to the extent possible.

We may need to release your identity if we receive a subpoena or in other circumstances where we are required by law to release information.

If you self-disclose your identity, the University is no longer obligated to maintain that confidence.

What happens after I file my report?

You will receive acknowledgement that we received your report. Once we review the report, we will let you know if we have any additional questions for you. If you have filed your report anonymously, it is important that you regularly review your case through the web portal, using the case key and the password you created, to see if we have asked for information. If we do not receive adequate information, we may not be able to fully address the situation.

How can I help investigate?

While we appreciate you providing all of the information you have, it is not your role to investigate. Do not seek out any additional documents or speak to potential witnesses as that could constitute interference or impact the evidence.

Will I be informed of the outcome?

You generally have the right to be informed of how we handled your report, but not necessarily the outcome of the process. As a whistleblower, you are a reporter, not a party to the investigation. In limited cases, you may be informed of the outcome if necessary to implement specific actions as a result of the investigation.