In June, the Lab’s chief operating officer sent a copy of the annual California Whistleblower notification to Lab employees.  This notification reminds employees of the avenues to bring forward concerns of potential employee misconduct that pertains to improper governmental activities, such as corruption, theft and misuse of government property, fraudulent reporting, coercion, willful omission to perform duty, and gross professional misconduct to name a few behaviors. In a Laboratory environment, this could be professional credential misrepresentation, falsifying/improper timekeeping, theft or vandalism of Laboratory property, travel/expense reimbursement fraud, abuse of authority, nepotism/favoritism, egregious policy violations, and harmful lack of integrity/dishonesty. This area may be confusing and appear to overlap with other reporting channels for safety, human resources, and research misconduct matters. Please take a minute to read more about whistleblower and whistleblower protection. 

What is Whistleblower Reporting?

The Lab has expectations and processes in place to detect and deter individuals from engaging in improper governmental activities, but even these mechanisms are not absolute safeguards against intentional or unintentional improprieties. Whistleblower reporting is when an individual sees or suspects an impropriety and makes a “good faith” communication (a reporting) that discloses or demonstrates an intention to disclose information that may evidence an improper governmental activity for the purpose of remedying that condition. 

Why is Whistleblower Reporting important?

As part of the University of California (UC) system and one of the DOE national laboratories, Laboratory employees and affiliates have a responsibility to conduct their work on behalf of the Laboratory in an ethical manner and in compliance with the federal and state laws. This is essential to enable the Laboratory to pursue and fulfill its scientific mission. Whistleblower reporting demonstrates the Laboratory’s commitment to provide a work environment that promotes ethical and professional practices, and ethical treatment for all members of the Laboratory community and those who interact with the Laboratory. This environment is communicated through the UC Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct, and the Laboratory’s stewardship values. Members of the Laboratory community are expected to embody these values. Whistleblowing reporting provides the check and balance to foster a healthy and safe work environment. 

How do you report improper governmental activities?

If you see something, say something as there are many ways to bring this type of activity forward, such as:

1.   Discussing the allegation/concern with:

• Your direct supervisor 
• Your department head or division director 
• The Laboratory’s Locally Designated Official (LDO); TATriplett@lbl.gov or 510-486-7401, or in person
• Other appropriate Laboratory offices or officials, such as human resources, legal, internal audit, FAIR (Fundamental Rights, Affirmative Action, Impartial Investigations and Respectful Environment) or Research Compliance Offices

2.   Making a report through the UC systemwide whistleblower hotline: at http://universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline or by calling 1-800-403-4744. This hotline allows for anonymous reporting and is independently-operated to receive calls or web-based reporting, capable of receiving reports in a number of different languages and  staffed seven days a week, 24 hours per day. 

How can I be assured of no reprisal?

UC and the Lab have policies and processes in place to protect individuals from retaliation for reporting suspected allegations of improper governmental activities and other concerns. Individuals may contact Theresa Triplett at TATriplett@lbl.gov or 510-486-7401 or in person to discuss and/or report the situation. 

Employees and affiliates have the right and the responsibility to report improper governmental activities without fear of reservation and reprisal as part of their UC and Lab stewardship responsibility of federal government and university resources. Whistleblower and Whistleblower Protection processes are essential to support an ethical, fair, healthy and safe work environment. Please visit the Whistleblower Allegations and other Employee Concerns webpage for more information.