Grievance & Whistleblower Policy

Effective Date: October 8, 2025
Applies To: All stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, partners, and community members

1. Purpose

As a Certified B Corporation, we are committed to ethical business practices, transparency, and accountability. This policy establishes a mechanism for stakeholders to raise grievances, ensures those grievances are handled fairly, and protects whistleblowers from retaliation.

2. Submitting a Grievance

Stakeholders may submit a grievance via our Grievance Form, which is accessible on our website. Submissions may be made anonymously.

3. Grievance Acceptance

3.1 Grounds for Accepting a Grievance

We will formally accept a grievance if it relates to:

  • Company policies, practices, or operations that may cause harm to employees, customers, partners, or communities

  • Breaches of our Code of Conduct, B Corp values, or applicable laws and regulations

  • Ethical concerns, including environmental, labor, governance, or community impact

3.2 Grounds for Not Accepting a Grievance

We may not accept issues that are:

  • Personal disputes unrelated to company operations

  • Matters already under legal proceedings

  • Anonymous submissions lacking sufficient detail for investigation

4. Grievance Process

4.1 Steps & Timelines

  1. Acknowledgment – We confirm receipt within 5 business days.

  2. Initial Review – A designated reviewer assesses acceptance within 10 business days.

  3. Investigation – If accepted, we conduct a fact-finding process (documents, interviews, review). Normally completed within 30 business days.

  4. Resolution Proposal – We provide proposed outcomes or corrective actions.

  5. Closure – Once a resolution is agreed, or a rationale is provided for non-acceptance, the case is formally closed.

4.2 Communication with Stakeholders

  • We will provide regular updates on progress.

  • Outcomes will be clearly communicated.

  • If a grievance is not accepted, we will provide a written rationale.

5. Resolution Facilitation

Resolutions may include:

  • Corrective or remedial actions by the company

  • Policy or practice changes

  • Mediation between relevant parties

  • Formal explanation if the grievance cannot be upheld

6. Whistleblower Protection

6.1 Commitment to Non-Retaliation

We commit to protecting stakeholders who raise grievances or whistleblower reports in good faith. No one will face retaliation, discrimination, or disadvantage.

6.2 Consequences for Retaliation

Any act of retaliation will result in:

  • For employees: disciplinary action, up to and including termination

  • For contractors/partners: suspension or termination of relationship

6.3 Protection Mechanisms

  • Confidential Channels – Grievances can be submitted anonymously

  • Restricted Access – Only designated reviewers may access submissions

  • Risk Assessment – Each grievance is evaluated for whistleblower risk, with protective measures taken where needed (e.g., identity shielding, reassignments)

  • Oversight – If necessary, external advisors or board-level oversight may be engaged

7. Record-Keeping & Transparency

  • All grievances are logged and documented.

  • Aggregate, anonymized reporting may be included in our annual B Corp reporting.

8. Contact

If you have questions about this policy, please contact concerns@trueimpact.com or (617) 903-0210.