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ANZ Whistleblower Protection Policy: A Safeguard for Employees

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) has implemented a whistleblower protection policy to promote transparency and ethical behavior within the organization.

Eligible Disclosers

The policy provides statutory protections for employees who make disclosures about wrongdoing, including:

  • Senior managers of Group Tax
  • Registered tax agents or BAS agents providing services to ANZ
  • Internal or external auditors of ANZ Group
  • Internal or external actuaries of ANZ Group
  • ASIC, APRA, the Commissioner of Taxation, or other Commonwealth bodies prescribed by regulation

What Constitutes a Protected Disclosure?

A protected disclosure can be made if the employee has reasonable grounds to suspect that the information disclosed concerns:

  • Misconduct, an improper state of affairs, or circumstances in relation to ANZ Group or anyone connected with it
  • A substantial and imminent danger to the health or safety of one or more persons or to the natural environment

Public Interest and Emergency Disclosures

In addition to protected disclosures, employees can also make public interest or emergency disclosures to a journalist or member of Parliament. To qualify for statutory protections under this category, the employee must have made a previous report to ASIC or APRA within 90 days, and provide written notification to the relevant body stating their intention to make an emergency disclosure.

Statutory Protections

Employees who make protected disclosures are entitled to certain statutory protections, including:

  • Protection from detrimental conduct
  • Protection from criminal liability for making the disclosure
  • Protection from civil liability for breach of employment contract or duty of confidentiality
  • Protection from administrative liability

These protections do not apply to any misconduct engaged in by the employee that is revealed in their disclosure.

Employees are encouraged to seek independent legal advice before making a protected disclosure. The ANZ Whistleblower Protection Policy provides a safe and secure way for employees to report wrongdoing, without fear of retaliation or reprisal.

Compensation for Detrimental Conduct

The policy also provides compensation for employees who have suffered detrimental conduct as a result of making a protected disclosure.

By providing statutory protections and a safe reporting mechanism, the ANZ Whistleblower Protection Policy promotes a culture of transparency and ethical behavior within the organization.