Ethics Hotline Policy

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), through all of its affiliate organisations worldwide, is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical, legal, financial and effective business conduct. In pursuit of this standard, IFAW is also committed to exceptional governance and to a workplace where open communication is valued and employees feel free to raise concerns with the assurance that they will be protected from reprisals of any sort.

IFAW has implemented an ethics hotline, so that employees can report serious and sensitive issues in the areas of finance, financial reporting, accounting, banking, anti-corruption, unethical or unlawful conduct and human resources. Employees have several options within IFAW to make a report of suspected violation of law or policy. Employees are encouraged to discuss any concerns they may have about such violations with their supervisor and/or department director who has authority over the area in which the concerns arise, or they may contact any senior staff member or executive. 

Alternatively, employees can make a report by contacting a hotline, either by telephone or via the internet, which is contracted for this sole purpose and is staffed by an outside service. The information will be forwarded promptly to designated individuals within IFAW for investigation. Callers to the hotline service may remain anonymous if they wish. 

The hotline is accessible from all IFAW locations around the world, and is compliant with European Union privacy regulations including a special call-in number for employees in France. IFAW will promptly conduct an investigation into matters reported, keeping the informant’s identity as confidential as possible consistent with its obligation to conduct a full and fair investigation. IFAW’s employees are able to follow up and receive updates on the actions taken as a result of their report.

IFAW maintains a no-retaliation policy and will not tolerate any form of retaliation against employees who report concerns in good faith regarding IFAW’s operations. Detailed procedures are in place to follow up on any retaliation reports, and any employee who engages in such retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action.