How to Blow the Whistle on Suspected Improper Activities
The University of California wants you to report improper activities,and will protect you from retaliation for whistleblowing.
What You Can Report
Any activity by UC or a UC employee that violates any state or federal law or regulation (e.g., corruption, malfeasance, bribery, theft or misuse of government property, fraud, coercion, or conversion); or wastes money, or involves gross misconduct, gross incompetence, or gross inefficiency.
Where to Report
- Your supervisor or manager, who will report it to one of the offices listed below
- Directly to any of the following offices:
- Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, 530-752-6550 (any improper activity)
- Associate Vice Chancellor-Human Resources, 530-752-3383 (staff complaint of retaliation)
- Vice Provost-Academic Personnel, 530-752-2072 (faculty and academic complaint of retaliation)
- UC Davis Health System Compliance Office, 916-734-8804 (health care compliance)
- UC Davis Whistleblower Hotline, 877-384-4272 (independently operated to help ensure confidentiality)
- Universitywide Whistleblower Hotline, 800-403-4744 (independently operated to help ensure confidentiality)
How to Report
- In writing or orally
- With as much specific factual information possible (report what you know, but don't investigate -- leave that to the experts!)
- Anonymously, if preferred
Confidentiality will be maintained, to the extent possible.
Protection from Retaliation
If you believe you have been retaliated against for whistleblowing, you may file a complaint with your Human Resources or Academic Personnel Office, or your supervisor.
For More Information
See UC Davis Policy & Procedure Manual Section 380-17. The University's Whistleblower and Whistleblower Protection policies and additional information can be found online at http://ucwhistleblower.ucop.edu.
In addition to the above procedures, you have the option of reporting improper activities directly to the State Auditor Whistleblower Hotline at 800-952-5665 or to the California Attorney General Hotline at 800-952-5225.
A Message from the State Auditor:
Call the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline to report the improper acts of state agencies or employees.
Blow The Whistle on State Government Fraud and Waste
What We Investigate:
- Illegal acts like theft, fraud, or conflicts of interest by state employees.
- Misuse or abuse of state property or time by state employees.
- Gross misconduct, incompetence, or inefficiency by state employees.
We Follow through When Our Investigation Substantiates Your Allegation
Although we have no enforcement power, we keep the ball rolling by reporting the results of investigations that substantiate improprieties to:
- The head of the employing agency
- The attorney general or other enforcement agencies, legislative committees, and any other authority with jurisdiction
- The general public, keeping identities confidential
State Law Goes to Bat for You
- It requires the Bureau of State Audits to shield your identity (except from law enforcement).
- It helps guard against intimidation, threats, or coercion by state employees that could interfere with your right to disclose improper government activities.
- It helps keep you safe from reprisal, retaliation, threats, or coercion for reporting such information.
If You Experience Retaliation, Speak Up!
If you're a state employee, contact the State Personnel Board in writing at 801 Capitol Mall, MS53, Sacramento, CA 95814. For additional information, call 916-653-1403.
- University of California (UC) has its own system. If you work for UC, check our web site, http://www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/hotline/filecomp.html for a link to information on its current policy.
- California State University (CSU) has its own system. If you work for CSU, check our web site, http://www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/hotline/filecomp.html, for a link to information on its current policy.
Report What You Know
Call 1-800-952-5665 or Mail the information to: Investigations, Bureau of State Audits, 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95814
We cannot accept complaints via our web site or email. However, visit our web site at http://www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/hotline/filecomp.html for more information on filing complaints.
Remember! The Bureau of State Audits can only investigate state government improprieties. We do not investigate misconduct by federal or local governments or by private businesses or organizations.