Whistleblowing The Commission is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, honesty and professionalism. It makes every effort to ensure that its business is conducted in accordance with these standards. Where a Commissioner is aware of or suspects certain failures or wrongdoings they are encouraged to raise any concern they have at an early stage with the Chair to enable steps to be taken to safeguard the organisation. Where the matter relates to the Chair it should be raised with the Deputy Chair in the first instance and if necessary, through the senior official of the Commission’s departmental sponsor team with the responsible Minister to enable the matter to be investigated as appropriate. Effective whistleblowing is both an instrument in support of good governance and a manifestation of a more open organisational culture. In line with normal corporate governance principles, members are expected to be loyal to the Commission and fully committed to its activities. If a Board member is not in agreement with the general view of the majority of the Board on a matter of substance, internal debate should continue to seek to resolve the issue. This may include revisiting the issue over a period of time, followed by a resolution in which any minority views are subsumed by an overall consensus or majority decision. If, eventually, a unanimous position cannot be achieved, then the individual concerned would be expected to continue to argue the point internally, while expressing the majority view externally, or to resign before their dissent known publically. Initially, Board members should discuss their difficulties or any concerns they have with the Chair of the Board or in his/her absence the Deputy Chair and if still dissatisfied (or if the Chair is the Board member, or the concern is about the Chair) then with the senior official of the departmental Commission’s sponsor team (currently the Director of the Government Equalities Office) and through him/her to the Minister, if necessary. Registration and declaration of interests/gifts and hospitality Members of the Board will comply with the rules on receipt and registration of gifts and hospitality (see Part 4 of this Governance Framework). This includes completing the Register of Commissioners' Interests on appointment and reviewing it annually or earlier if any declarable interests arise declaring an interest at the start of a Board or Committee meeting if they have a personal or business interest in an issue on the agenda and withdrawing from the meeting if required. Expenses Members of the Board are expected to seek reimbursement of reasonable expenses solely incurred in exercise of their duties, in accordance with the
Whistleblowing The Commission is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, honesty and professionalism. It makes every effort to ensure that its business is conducted in accordance with these standards. Where a Commissioner is aware of or suspects certain failures or wrongdoings they are encouraged to raise any concern they have at an early stage with the Chair to enable steps to be taken to safeguard the organisation. Where the matter relates to the Chair it should be raised with the Deputy Chair in the first instance and if necessary, through the senior official of the Commission’s departmental sponsor team with the responsible Minister to enable the matter to be investigated as appropriate. Effective whistleblowing is both an instrument in support of good governance and a manifestation of a more open organisational culture. In line with normal corporate governance principles, members are expected to be loyal to the Commission and fully committed to its activities. If a Board member is not in agreement with the general view of the majority of the Board on a matter of substance, internal debate should continue to seek to resolve the issue. This may include revisiting the issue over a period of time, followed by a resolution in which any minority views are subsumed by an overall consensus or majority decision. If, eventually, a unanimous position cannot be achieved, then the individual concerned would be expected to continue to argue the point internally, while expressing the majority view externally, or to resign before their dissent known publically. Initially, Board members should discuss their difficulties or any concerns they have with the Chair of the Board or in his/her absence the Deputy Chair and if still dissatisfied (or if the Chair is the Board member, or the concern is about the Chair) then with the senior official of the Commission’s departmental sponsor team (currently the Director of the Government Equalities Office) and through him/her to the Minister, if necessary. Registration and declaration of interests/gifts and hospitality Members of the Board will comply with the rules on receipt and registration of gifts and hospitality (see Part 4 of this Governance Framework). This includes completing the Register of Commissioners' Interests on appointment and reviewing it annually or earlier if any declarable interests arise declaring an interest at the start of a Board or Committee meeting if they have a personal or business interest in an issue on the agenda and withdrawing from the meeting if required. Expenses Members of the Board are expected to seek reimbursement of reasonable expenses solely incurred in exercise of their duties, in accordance with the
2015_governance_framework_update_sept_2015.docx