INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis leaders announced a new anonymous reporting service Thursday for city employees as an investigation unfolds into complaints against members of the Hogsett administration.
The service is called Speakfully. It's a third-party workplace reporting platform and hotline that's staffed 24/7. City officials said there will be interpreter support available in up to 35 languages.
Speakfully also allows city employees to receive updates on their case, even if they choose to remain anonymous.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the council's Investigative Committee met for the first time.
The bipartisan undertaking got the green light last month after multiple people came forward, alleging a culture of sexual harassment inside city hall. That included accusations against Mayor Joe Hogsett's former top aide, Thomas Cook.
The committee's first task is choosing an outside law firm to conduct the investigation.
“Over the past several months, my Administration has taken a hard look at improving the City’s policies, processes, training, and workplace culture,” Hogsett said. “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.”
City officials said the selection and procurement of Speakfully represents the next step in the "ongoing work to improve workplace culture" within the City-County.
Multiple agencies, in partnership with the City-County Council, were involved in reviewing and selecting the new anonymous reporting tool. This included the Information Services Agency, the Human Resources Office, the Office of Finance and Management’s Purchasing Division and Risk and Safety Management Unit and the Office of Audit and Performance.