Our services
Investing in an open culture, the principle aim of our service is to support an organisation’s brand and reputation by promoting and sustaining a truly open culture - a culture where all staff speak up and leadership actively listen up. Our service offers our clients and their employees an alternative and independent option to complement existing in-house channels.
This approach raises opportunities, issues and insight that otherwise stay anchored below the surface
of organisations. By helping these to surface, we act as guardians to our clients and their employees.
We currently provide this support to over 120,000 employees across England, Wales and Scotland.
Our model
Our model provides staff with direct and confidential access to a dedicated Guardian 24/7. Our Guardians have the experience and skills to support the right resolution for the individual and the organisation. This includes everything from a simple conversation up to the formal raising or ‘whistleblowing’ of a serious concern or allegation. The Guardian also has immediate access to the relevant leadership (including the CEO and Board as necessary) to
escalate an issue if and when needed.
Key elements of our service:
Regular meetings between Guardian, Board and leadership team so the organisation at the highest level is fully engaged with an open culture
Full privacy and confidentiality
Leadership receives monthly detailed and de-personalised reports on activity and trends with targeted advice on addressing concerns
Online survey to capture service
user experience
Marketing material to support in-house communication teams to engage employees and raise visibility of Guardians and organisational commitment.
Dedicated lead Guardian for your organisation, with further capacity
available if needed
Clear escalation processes for all issues to protect the organisation, staff and customers
Guardian will hold meetings on or off-site, in person or by phone, email, or range of digital platforms
Support individuals to decide on their choice of resolution, including Informal
and formal routes, facilitated meetings
and confidential escalation
Our experience shows bringing The Guardian Service into an
organisation opens up a wide range of benefits including:
Organisational and employee benefits:
Demonstrates commitment to transparency to Board, regulators and external scrutineers.
Provide leadership with real time feedback
Proactive approach reduces employee stress, management time and legal costs of grievances and tribunals - average cost of a grievance is £35k - 45k.
Improved staff engagement, retention
and reduced staff sickness levels
Highly visible commitment to open
culture by leadership
Performance improvements and
greater innovation
Enhanced customer and staff experience driven by frontline feedback
Reduced risk of whistleblowing and reputational damage due to positive
early action