At HURU, we understand that integrity and transparency are essential to building a thriving business and earning customer trust. Without a clear system to address misconduct, issues such as fraud, corruption, and harassment can go unchecked — damaging employee morale, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
To protect our people and our customers, HURU has partnered with Whistle Blowers to launch a comprehensive Whistle Blower Program – a secure, confidential, and professional ethics hotline service. This initiative empowers employees, resellers, and stakeholders to report unethical behaviour without fear of retaliation, ensuring that every concern is handled with care and professionalism.
Why the Whistle Blower Program Matters
Unethical behaviour within a company can have devastating consequences for customers and business performance. Misconduct, fraud, and corruption create ripple effects that impact not just internal operations, but also the trust and confidence of our customers.
Impact on Customers and Business Performance:
- Financial Loss: Fraud and mismanagement increase operational costs, which can result in higher prices and diminished service quality.
- Privacy Breaches: Mishandling customer data due to unethical behavior can lead to identity theft, financial harm, and reputational damage.
- Service Disruptions: Unethical decision-making and poor employee morale often lead to lower service standards and increased customer dissatisfaction.
- Reputation Damage: Public scandals and legal actions caused by misconduct can erode customer confidence and lead to long-term business loss.
The Data Tells the Story
- A report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that businesses lose approximately 5% of their revenue each year due to fraud — representing a staggering $4.7 trillion globally.
- According to a 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer survey, 60% of consumers will stop doing business with a company they perceive as unethical — even if they have no direct negative experience.
- Research by Gartner shows that 71% of customers expect companies to have clear ethics guidelines and reporting mechanisms — and are more likely to remain loyal to brands that demonstrate transparency.
Why HURU Chose Whistle Blowers
HURU’s decision to partner with Whistle Blowers was driven by their proven expertise and commitment to ethical excellence. Whistle Blowers has over two decades of experience helping organisations implement secure, multi-channel ethics reporting systems – with a focus on confidentiality and professional handling.
Key Features of the Whistle Blower Program:
- Confidentiality: Reports are handled anonymously, protecting the identity of the whistleblower.
- Multi-Channel Access: Reports can be submitted via phone, email, or a secure web portal, making it easy for anyone to report issues.
- Professional Handling: Reports are managed by experienced ethics professionals who ensure fair and unbiased outcomes.
- Follow-Up and Resolution: All reports are tracked and resolved professionally, ensuring accountability and transparency.
How the Whistle Blower Program Works
The Whistle Blower Program is designed to provide a straightforward and secure process for reporting misconduct:
1. Choose Your Reporting Method
- Secure phone line
- Email submission
- Online portal with 24/7 access
2. Confidential Handling
Once a report is submitted, Whistle Blowers’ team of ethics professionals handles the case with complete confidentiality and sensitivity.
3. Fair Investigation
All reports are investigated objectively and fairly to determine the best course of action.
4. Resolution and Feedback
Where appropriate, corrective actions are implemented, and the whistleblower may receive confidential follow-up (if desired).
How the Whistle Blower Program Benefits Customers
Our customers expect HURU to operate with integrity and accountability. By introducing the Whistle Blower Program, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting customer interests and maintaining high service standards.
Better Service Quality: Ethical business practices translate into improved employee morale, higher productivity, and better customer service.
Protection from Fraud: Early identification and resolution of fraud protect customers from financial and product-related issues.
Data Privacy: Stronger internal controls and accountability ensure that customer data is handled responsibly and securely.
Increased Customer Trust: Customers are more likely to remain loyal to brands that demonstrate ethical leadership and transparency.
The Cost of Inaction
Failure to address unethical behaviour can lead to severe business and reputational damage:
- Legal Penalties: Fines and legal action from regulatory authorities.
- Customer Loss: Loss of customer confidence and long-term business relationships.
- Operational Impact: Increased costs, employee turnover, and lower service quality.
For example, a recent high-profile case involving data privacy violations resulted in $5 billion in fines and long-term damage to the company’s reputation – with customer trust taking years to rebuild.
A Commitment to Integrity and Excellence
At HURU, integrity is not just a value — it’s how we do business. The Whistle Blower Program reinforces this commitment by giving our employees, resellers, and stakeholders a secure and professional way to report issues without fear of retaliation.
By fostering a culture where ethical behaviour is prioritised and supported, we strengthen our customer relationships, protect our business, and create a safer and more transparent work environment.
At HURU, we believe that trust is built on accountability. As specialists in criminal background screening, we help businesses make informed hiring decisions – but our commitment to integrity goes beyond that. By partnering with Whistleblowers.co.za, we’re providing our clients, their customers, and our partners’ staff with a safe and anonymous way to report fraud and unethical behaviour. Together, we’re creating a business environment where honesty thrives and misconduct has nowhere to hide.” – Devin Ashman, COO & Co-Founder – HURU
Take Action – Your Voice Matters
If you encounter fraud, misconduct, or unethical behaviour within HURU, or our partner network, we encourage you to speak up. The Whistle Blower Program guarantees complete confidentiality and professional handling of all reports.
Report an Issue Confidentially
Whistleblowers offers a variety of reporting channels for you to use:
- Toll Free Number: 0800 167 800
- Email: huru@whistleblowing.co.za
- WhatsApp ChatBot: 031 308 4664
- SMS: 33490
- Online: www.whistleblowing.co.za
- Mobile APP: Available on Andoid and iOS
