CBS gets its own whistleblower scheme
(Photo: Mette Koors)
From October 4, everybody with a connection to CBS can use the whistleblower scheme anonymously to report infringements and severe offenses such as financial crimes and sexual harassment. Kirsten Winther Jørgensen, the University Director of CBS, says that the scheme is “an expression of good management.”
News | 02. Oct 2018
Whether you are a student, employee, member of senior management or board of directors, a lawyer, supplier, collaborator or an auditor, from October 4 at 12 o’clock you will have access to CBS’ new whistleblower scheme.
The scheme allows everybody, anonymously or not, to report on infringements and severe offences. This can include reports of bribery, fraud and suspicion of corruption, environmental pollution, violence, sexual harassment, or severe breaches of CBS’ own rules.
According to Kirsten Winther Jørgensen, University Director of CBS, having a whistleblower scheme is in line with the recommendations for corporate governance.
“Even though the recommendations are primarily focused on listed corporations, it has become more common that public corporations, organizations and authorities have a whistleblower scheme as well. We consider it an expression of good management to have such a scheme,” she says.
Although the students can use the whistleblower scheme, it is not possible for others to report on students.
“The whistleblower scheme has been made to support corporate governance. Since it is only employees who have responsibilities in connection to the laws and regulations that CBS as a corporate body has to comply with, it is solely possible to report on employees – and not students – in the scheme,” says Kirsten Winther Jørgensen.
We consider it an expression of good management to have such a scheme
Kirsten Winther Jørgensen
Furthermore, the whistleblower scheme cannot be used to report on scientific misconduct. For this, people will have to contact CBS’ Research Practice Committee.
The whistleblower scheme is managed by Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab. However, it is CBS Legal that will investigate the reported offences, unless they concern CBS’ Head of Legal, Mette Kuhlen Gullach.
When a case is reported, Plesner will assess whether CBS Legal can solve the case or not.
No matter how a case ends, it will always be concluded with a written report, which contains a conclusion or a recommendation for further action. The report is then handed over to senior management. A conclusion or recommendation can include:
- The case is closed as manifestly unfounded.
- The case should be closed with a change of procedure.
- The case is closed with an official warning or reprimand.
- The case is closed with another consequence relating to employment law. For example, suspension or dismissal.
- The case is handed over to the police.
- The case is handed over to other authorities.
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