The modern hotline you can customize with ease

An ethics hotline, also called a speak-up line, whistleblower hotline, or employee hotline, is a secure, confidential way for employees to report concerns about things like harassment, discrimination, fraud, or other misconduct. It's much more than a phone line. Modern hotlines also include web portals with AI assistance that help reporters share the details that matter. The goal is to create a speak-up culture where people feel safe raising issues without fear of retaliation.

Employees can submit a report through the ethics hotline using whichever method is most convenient, whether that's phone, web form, or web chat, and provide details about their concern. Capturing clear, well-documented details from the reporter up front makes for a much more streamlined investigation. From there, the report typically gets routed to the appropriate internal team (like HR, Legal, or Compliance), who can review it, follow up, investigate, and document the outcome. Some ethics hotlines also support two-way anonymous messaging, so investigators can ask questions or provide updates while protecting the reporter’s identity.

In the United States, publicly traded companies are required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) to provide a confidential and anonymous way for employees to report concerns about accounting or auditing irregularities.

Many global regulations (like the EU Whistleblower Directive) also mandate hotlines for certain organizations. Even in cases where it’s not legally required, having an ethics hotline is widely considered a best practice. It helps organizations detect issues early, shows commitment to compliance, and builds a more transparent, accountable culture.

They can be! If anonymity is enabled, employees can file reports without sharing their name or contact info. Most modern systems are built with privacy in mind and offer secure, encrypted ways to communicate throughout the investigation. That means even if someone stays anonymous, they can still respond to follow-up questions and check the status of their report, all without revealing who they are.