Speak Up, Solidarity!

If located in North America you can also use the number below to anonymously text a concern.

                     (202) 980-2417 

Convercent is an independent provider that developed and maintains the Speak Up, Solidarity! reporting platform for Solidarity Center. All reports received through the platform are submitted by Conversant to designated individuals at Solidarity Center, which has full responsibility for subsequent investigations and follow up communication. Solidarity Center is responsible for all content on the Speak Up portal.

What kinds of incidents can I report? 
We recommend reporting anything that doesn’t feel right. Below are the three most common types of complaints: 

• Financial Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
• Human Resources (HR) Issues
• Safety, Security, and Safeguarding Concerns

Will my report remain confidential and anonymous?

Convercent will not disclose your identity without your express permission, although your identity may be discovered during an investigation based on the information you have provided.

Anonymity options may vary slightly based on local laws. In all instances, every effort will be made to ensure that information relating to a reported incident is kept confidential and communicated on a need-to-know basis only. Below are the different levels of anonymity you may select:

1. Remain completely anonymous - Your name and contact information is not revealed to Solidarity Center or to Convercent. Your identity is completely protected on the incident report. 
2. Remain anonymous toward Solidarity Center - Your name and contact information is visible to Convercent, but not to Solidarity Center. Convercent may contact you confidentially to gather additional information about the report but will not reveal your identity at any time to Solidarity Center. 
3. Share my name and information - Your name and identity are available to both Solidarity Center and to Convercent.

Who will see my report?

Solidarity Center’s three designated administrators will see every report that is filed. This redundancy is meant to ensure that no report is overlooked and that no single individual can determine the outcome of a complaint. One of the administrators will route your report to a relevant case manager based on the type of issue and the involved parties. Every case will be seen by at least two people to ensure accountability and oversight, but no more than necessary to resolve the issue. No one who is directly named in a report will have access to it. The case manager will handle the incident according to Solidarity Center’s internal investigatory procedures. Convercent is not involved in the investigation process, although Solidarity Center may choose to hire an external investigator in certain cases. The report will be stored within the Convercent case management system where only those who are assigned to the case will have access to the information. Reports housed in Convercent’s online system are not an extension of an employee’s HR file.

Who can file a report?

This line is open to both staff and individuals outside the organization, such as program participants, partners, vendors, or donors. Anyone who has contact with Solidarity Center can report issues related to the organiation’s activities, practices, or staff.

As an employee of Solidarity Center, can I still file a grievance with my staff union?

Staff unions remain the best way for employees to address issues that are covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This hotline is an additional reporting option for staff, particularly those who are not members of a union and have no CBA-established recourse for raising concerns. 

Will my union be notified about this report?

All Solidarity Center staff who are bargaining unit members are subject to the same notification procedures outlined in their CBAs.

What happens after I make a report?

Once you submit your report, you will create a password and receive an access code. The report is routed to the designated administrators within Solidarity Center to review and take appropriate action. If you provide your details to Convercent or to the Solidarity Center, administrators may communicate with you as needed.

Can I be retaliated against for submitting a report?
Solidarity Center's Whistleblower Policy prohibits retaliation against staff, partners, or associated personnel for making good faith complaints, reports, or inquiries. It applies to individuals who report through the helpline, as well. For this reason, you might receive an email from Solidarity Center checking whether you've been retaliated against. You can view more information about that here.

Can I change my report after I submit it? 

You cannot change your report after submitting it. However, you can add additional details using message boards, including your identifying information should you choose to come forward after filing the report.

Can I check the status of my report? 

You can create a personal password, which you will use to check the status and updates of the report after you’ve submitted it. You can also call the appropriate country number to check the status over the phone.

Does Solidarity Center really want to hear our concerns?

Solidarity Center has set up this helpline because all staff, partners and associated personnel have the right to a safe work environment. We want you to speak up when you see or experience something that doesn’t seem right or violates SC policies–that way, bad behavior can be addressed, remedied, and hopefully prevented.

The Solidarity Center is committed to a world of work where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to address inappropriate, unethical, or illegal behavior that might arise in the course of doing their job. This includes bullying, discrimination, harassment, fraud, theft, or financial mismanagement, all of which run counter to our values, mission, and policies. 

To this end, we hold ourselves just as accountable as we hold governments and corporations. Everyone who is part of the Solidarity Center family or comes into contact with us through our activities -- including staff, management, vendors, program partners and participants, as well as donors -- needs to feel safe from those behaviors, no matter who has perpetrated them.

Because we have a zero-tolerance policy toward such behaviors, we have established the Solidarity Helpline, a confidential service that enhances, but does not replace, longstanding reporting processes. It is a voluntary, anonymous tool that provides an additional resource for reporting sensitive issues. All information will be treated confidentially. 

Our priority is prevention of bad behavior within our workplace. We hope you have no cause to file a report. However, should something happen, we are committed to addressing and responding to all complaints. 

In Solidarity,
Shawna Bader-Blau
Executive Director