At Monash Health we hold ourselves to high standards of integrity in the way we conduct ourselves. However, if you do witness concerning or improper conduct within the organisation you should have confidence that you can report this and be free from any reprisals. Concerns reported within Monash Health are always treated seriously and will be investigated.
We’ve outlined below what constitutes improper conduct and the reporting avenues available to you if required.
What is improper conduct?
Improper conduct can take many forms, including behavior that is dishonest or criminal in nature, involves a breach of public trust, serious professional misconduct, the misuse of information (such as patient information) or material acquired in the course of employment at Monash Health. Conduct that is minor or trivial in nature is not improper conduct.
Examples of improper conduct can include:
- Serious breaches of the Monash Health Code of Conduct
- Substance abuse in the course of employment
- Theft
- Deliberate or reckless misuse of Monash Health information, including patient information
- Breaches of major legal obligations such as preserving employee or patient privacy
- Misuse of an employee’s position for financial gain (including gain by a third party)
- Sexual misconduct
- Serious breaches of Occupational Health and Safety laws, such as bullying and harassment
- Selling confidential information, such as patient details
- Receiving a bribe for the discharge of a public duty
- Favouring unmeritorious job or contract applications by friends and relatives
- Assisting another person to do something that constitutes improper conduct.
Improper conduct can be reported in three ways.
Reporting within Monash Health
Improper conduct can be reported to your line manager (or above where necessary), to a People and Culture Business Partner, or to the Chief Legal Officer.
Reporting via the Integrity Hotline
The Integrity Hotline is an independent, confidential service, and allows for anonymous reporting if preferred.
You can call the Hotline on 1300 304 550 or email monashhealth@stopline.com.au.
You can report improper conduct to the Integrity Hotline if you do not feel comfortable reporting concerns internally. This may be due to the sensitive nature of the issue, or if you feel as though the concerns already raised have not been adequately, fairly or impartially addressed.
Reporting directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC)
Monash Health encourages reporting direct to IBAC of any instance of improper conduct to ensure statutory rights and protections are given to the person making the allegations.
Where improper conduct is reported to IBAC, employees are protected by law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012, which protects an individual from any reprisals as a result of the reporting. This may include immunity for civil or criminal liability (unless false or misleading information is provided, or if you are also engaged in misconduct) or detrimental actions within the workplace as a result of the notification.
If you are unsure whether IBAC can investigate a complaint, more information can be obtained via the IBAC website, or by asking the Chief Legal Officer for assistance and advice.
Approved by Michael Holman and Peter Ryan