City of Providence HR Hotline - City of Providence

Department of People & Culture
HR Hotline

Human Resources Hotline

The HR Hotline is a confidential method for reporting concerns and complaints. Before you submit a question, please review the frequently asked questions on the bottom of the page. Please note that the FAQs are intended to provide general guidance on the uses of the hotline.

Employee

The HR Hotline is an anonymous reporting mechanism that facilitates reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct when the normal channels of communication have proven ineffective, or are impractical under the circumstances.

The Hotline is available to firm employees, as well as members of the public, contractors, vendors and others in a business relationship with the City of Providence. If you are unsure about where to go with your concerns, or you feel uncomfortable reporting through normal channels of communication, or wish to raise the issue anonymously, you should access the HR Hotline.

The Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can leave a voicemail or write an email to the secure inbox. All messages will be reviewed within three (3) business days. The HR Hotline is designed to protect your confidentiality, and your anonymity, if requested. Regardless of how a report is made, the City of Providence prohibits retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports a possible violation or who participates in an investigation, even if sufficient evidence is not found to substantiate the concern. The City will take appropriate action against any individual determined to be engaging in retaliatory conduct.

You can contact us regarding:

Safety concerns
Kudos to an employee or supervisor
Suggestions/ideas regarding improvements to the workplace (efforts, events, training, etc.)
Contract / Labor Law violations such overtime pay, break times, lunches, etc.
Guidance on conflict resolution with a co-worker or supervisor
Resource referrals/recommendations that could benefit the workplace
Illegal or unethical behavior
Reasonable suspicion
Workplace policy / Conduct violations
Major issues affecting your work
Harassment, discrimination, or retaliation
Feedback for your department

To access the HR Hotline via the web, visit https://www.providenceri.gov/human-resources/
To access the HR Hotline via the telephone, dial 401-680-5714

Member of Public

The Hotline is available to firm employees, as well as members of the public, contractors, vendors and others in a business relationship with the City of Providence.

The Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can leave a voicemail or write an email to the secure inbox. All messages will be reviewed within three (3) business days.

You can contact us regarding:

Safety concerns
Suggestions/ideas regarding improvements to the workplace (efforts, events, training, etc.)
Contract / Labor Law violations such overtime pay, break times, lunches, etc.
Guidance on conflict resolution with a co-worker or supervisor
Kudos to an employee or supervisor
Resource referrals/recommendations that could benefit the workplace
Illegal or unethical behavior
Reasonable suspicion
Workplace policy / Conduct violations
Major issues affecting your work
Harassment, discrimination, or retaliation
Feedback for your department

The HR Hotline is designed to protect your confidentiality, and your anonymity, if requested. Regardless of how a report is made, the City of Providence prohibits retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports a possible violation or who participates in an investigation, even if sufficient evidence is not found to substantiate the concern. The City will take appropriate action against any individual determined to be engaging in retaliatory conduct.

To access the HR Hotline via the web, visit https://www.providenceri.gov/human-resources/
To access the HR Hotline via the telephone, dial 401-680-5714

If you need to make a report for complaint or compliment about any of the following:

Animals
Bike PVD
Business Concerns
Damage to manhole/utility cover
Garbage
Health and Safety
Housing and building issues
Lights, signage and traffic signals
Quality of life (noise, parks, recreation, accessibility..)
Streets and Sidewalks
Tax services
Trees and overgrowth
Utilities
Vandalism
Vehicles and parking
Winter Conditions

Using the PVD311 system, MCCS is your link to city departments and services. Our team is dedicated to creating a respectful, patient, and informative process.

To access PVD 311 via the web, visit https://www.providenceri.gov/pvd-311/
To access PVD 311 via the telephone, dial 401-421-2489

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HR hotline?
The HR hotline is a confidential way for employees to report workplace concerns without fear of retaliation. Managed by the Human Resources Department, reports are investigated and addressed promptly to mitigate liability to the City and prevent escalation. It is also a channel where suggestive idea, thoughts, and kudos can be communicated. The HR hotline promotes transparency, accountability, and trust.

Who can report to the HR hotline?
Any employee or public constituent can report to the HR hotline. It is considered a confidential and anonymous channel for reporting concerns or violations of ethical behavior, compliance with laws and regulations, or company policies. It can also be used as a tool to share positive ideas, or even give kudos to employees for their hard work.

How do I report an incident to the HR hotline?
To report an incident to the HR hotline, you can access it through phone or email, at 401-680-5714 or hrhotline@providenceri.gov. The hotline is confidential and anonymous, allowing employees to report concerns or violations of ethical behavior without fear of retaliation.

If reports are submitted to departments that would best be served via contact with the HR Hotline, please feel free to direct such individuals to the Hotline.

Will my report to the HR hotline be kept confidential?
Yes, your report to the HR hotline will be kept as confidential as practical. The hotline is designed to provide a safe and anonymous way for individuals to raise concerns or report without fear of retaliation. Reports are usually investigated and addressed discreetly.

However, in certain circumstances, such as when required by law or when there is a threat to health or safety, confidentiality may need to be breached. The specifics of confidentiality and how reports are handled may vary depending on the organization’s policies and procedures, so reviewing the guidelines before making a report is always a good idea.

What happens after I report an incident to the HR hotline?
After reporting an incident to the HR hotline, it is reviewed. If redirection to another channel or resource is necessary, it will be provided. If the matter reported is best handled at the department level it is communicated and extended, accordingly. An investigation may be conducted to determine its validity and severity. The organization could then escalate this to a further inquiry. Based on the outcome, the organization may take corrective measures, discipline employees involved, or report the incident to regulatory authorities.

Can I be retaliated against for reporting an incident to the HR hotline?
No. It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for reporting a legitimate incident to an HR hotline.

How can the HR hotline contribute to a positive organizational culture?
The HR hotline encourages transparency and accountability. For example, they can help identify potential issues early, prohibiting more significant problems and ensuring that employees are aware of the City’s commitment to ethics and values. The HR hotline also promotes trust and confidence, where an organization supports the culture of continuous improvement to be on top of ethical considerations. It may also serve as an additional channel though which employees can share their ideas, compliments, and input toward what the City can do in support of the workplace.

QR Code for Human Resources Hotline