INDIANAPOLIS – The City of Indianapolis is taking new steps to help address sexual harassment reporting in the workplace.
The city announced it will be launching a new anonymous reporting system and hotline. This comes just days after a committee investigating claims against the Hogsett administration had its first meeting.
The investigative committee found the city’s current human resources system lacked a way for employees to file reports of sexual harassment anonymously.
After allegations against the Hogsett administration came to light, the city put a temporary system into place. But even then, anonymity was not a sure thing. Now the city said it will be a guarantee.
“The City of Indianapolis is a little bit behind the ball,” said Councilwoman Crista Carlino. “We have a lot of work to do.”
The addition of the new reporting tool called “Speakfully” is one step towards getting workplace safety, comfort and culture to where it needs to be, Carlino said.
“Anonymity is critical to that process,” she said. “Folks are more willing to come forward when they know their identity will be anonymous.”
The city said it chose Speakfully for its real-time case management system, which allows employees to receive updates on their case even if they report it anonymously.
The new system also features a 24/7 phone hotline, online reporting with QR code access, interpreter support in up to 35 languages and an option for live, anonymous two-way communication.
“My goal, my hope for this tool being implemented is that those folks who have fears can put those fears to rest and come forward with any truths that they may have,” Carlino said.
The city said it hopes to have the new system activated by the end of the year.
“Over the past several months, my Administration has taken a hard look at improving the City’s policies, processes, training, and workplace culture,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a news release. “We remain focused on taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe and equitable working environment for all employees, such as the procurement of this third-party, anonymous reporting service, and appreciate the City-County Council’s partnership in this effort.”
All of this of course comes after two women came forward publicly and accused Mayor Hogsett’s former Chief of Staff Thomas Cook of sexually harassing and assaulting them when they worked for Hogsett.
Carlino, who is the chair of the investigative committee, said there is still more to be done.
“We can help reform policy, reform practices and have a culture of safety, culture of reporting and ultimately be preventative and proactive, not reactive when situations like this occur,” she said.
The investigative committee meets again next week and will pick a law firm to help with its investigation and review some of the city’s policies.
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