Whistle Blowing Policy & Procedures

Whistle Blowing Policy & Procedures

SADeaf is committed to strong corporate governance and promotes an open and transparent culture, where employees, vendors, clients and other stakeholders are provided an avenue to express concerns on any serious wrongdoing/malpractice in particular in relation to fraud, controls and ethics.

Purpose and Scope

The Singapore Association for the Deaf (“SADeaf”) does not tolerate any malpractice, impropriety, statutory non-compliance or wrongdoing by staff in the course of their work.  This Whistle Blowing Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”) is intended to provide a framework to promote responsible and secure whistleblowing without fear of adverse consequences.

Employees and outside parties, such as clients and other stakeholders, may use the procedures set out in the Policy to report any concern or complaint regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, internal controls, disclosure matters, conflict of interest, or any other matters involving fraud, corruption and employee misconduct.

The Policy aims to achieve the following:

1. Establish a trusted avenue for employees, vendors, clients and external stakeholders to report serious wrongdoings or concerns without fear of reprisals when whistleblowing in good faith.
2. Ensure arrangements are in place to facilitate independent investigation of the reported concern and appropriate follow-up actions will be taken.
3. Encourage employees to raise concerns at an early stage to an internal authority so that actions could be taken immediately to resolve them.

The whistleblower email for reporting irregularities and wrongdoings may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1)   Forgery
2)   Misappropriation of funds and classified documents
3)   Abuse and misrepresentation of power and authority
4)   Failure to comply with laws and regulations
5)   Discrimination on the basis of gender, race, disabilities
6)   Harassment
7)   Corruption and bribery
8)   Theft
9)   General malpractice such as immoral, illegal or unethical conduct
10) Potential infractions of Code of Conduct
11) Any other serious improper matters which may cause financial or non-financial loss to SADeaf or damage SADeaf’s reputation

Channels to Raise Concern

Concerns have to be raised in writing.  As it is essential for SADeaf to have all critical information in order to be able to effectively evaluate and investigate a complaint. The complaint made should provide as much detail and be as specific as possible.  The complaint should include details of the parties involved, dates or period of time, the type of concern, evidence substantiating the complaint, where possible, and contact details, in case further information is required.  The Receiving Officer is Chairman, Audit Committee.  The contact details of the Receiving Officer are as follows:

Private & Confidential

For the Attention of Audit Committee Chairman
The Singapore Association for the Deaf
227 Mountbatten Road
Singapore 397998

Or Email:

President
Email: president_eric@sadeaf.org.sg

Chairman, Audit Committee
Email: ac_chairman@sadeaf.org.sg

Honorary Secretary
Email: honsec@sadeaf.org.sg

Audit Committee: audit_committee@sadeaf.org.sg

All concerns raised will be independently reviewed by the Audit Committee and all information provided will be kept strictly confidential.