Employees Encouraged to Make Responsible Disclosures

Employees are being encouraged to be responsible in making disclosures of improper conduct within their respective organisations to the Integrity Commission (IC) or to a Prescribed Person.

“It is important that you make the disclosure if it is that you want to maintain a very fair, a very open, transparent and a very ethical environment to work in,” Manager of Complaints and Protected Disclosures, IC, Debbie Gardner, said.

She was speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) television ‘Get the Facts’ interview.

Under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2011, persons can make reports about conduct that shows gross mismanagement, impropriety or misconduct in the execution of activities involving the use of public funds.

On January 25, 2021, by way of the Jamaica Gazette, the IC was named the Designated Authority by the Minister of Justice, to execute the functions pursuant to the Protected Disclosures Act, 2011.

Ms. Gardner said that one of the main objectives of the Act is “to encourage employees within organisations to make disclosures about improper conduct”.

She said that persons can make reports about serious criminal offences, such as corruption, fraud, misappropriation of assets, victimisation and discrimination. Reports can also include conduct that threatens the health and safety of citizens.

Ms. Gardner urged employees to make disclosures in good faith and in the interest of the general public.

“If it is not in good faith, the penalty is a fine of up to $2 million or two years’ imprisonment or both upon conviction in a Resident Magistrate’s court. So, it is necessary and pertinent that persons who are making a disclosure are not making a disclosure maliciously or frivolously,” she said.

Ms. Gardner pointed out that persons who make disclosures also have expectations.

“They will have the expectation that their reports will be handled fairly, that their complaints will be dealt with in a timely manner and, of course, that they will be protected,” she said.

Further, Ms. Gardner urged employees against making reports for their personal benefit.

“So, if it is that employees have personal grievances that can be dealt with by your HR Unit or Department or can be dealt with by other external entities, then we would advise you to seek that recourse,” she added.

Persons can make disclosures to the Commission’s offices, 63-67 Knutsford Boulevard, or call 876-926-0001.