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Lloyd's of London whistleblowing hotline was down for 16 months Lloyd's of London whistleblowing hotline was down for 16 months
(32 minutes later)
The Bank of England is to begin monitoring Lloyd's of London after it emerged that a whistleblowing hotline at the insurance market was out of service for almost a year and a half.The Bank of England is to begin monitoring Lloyd's of London after it emerged that a whistleblowing hotline at the insurance market was out of service for almost a year and a half.
It meant about 1,000 staff had no way to anonymously report sexual harassment and bullying. It meant about 1,000 staff had no way to anonymously report issues such as sexual harassment or bullying.
It comes as Lloyd's tries to clean up its image after a wave of female staff made complaints. Lloyd's has been trying to clean up its image after a wave of female staff alleged they had been harassed.
The company said it was "disappointed" by the failure in its controls.The company said it was "disappointed" by the failure in its controls.
About 50,000 people work at the Lloyd's of London insurance market in the City of London, where brokers and insurers meet to do business.About 50,000 people work at the Lloyd's of London insurance market in the City of London, where brokers and insurers meet to do business.
In February, the firm discovered its "Speaking Up" hotline - which was only open to directly-employed staff - had been out of action for 16 months.In February, the firm discovered its "Speaking Up" hotline - which was only open to directly-employed staff - had been out of action for 16 months.
Lloyd's alerted the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to the fact at the time. It told the body, which oversees City firms, that it had forgotten to renew its contract with the external company that managed the line.Lloyd's alerted the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to the fact at the time. It told the body, which oversees City firms, that it had forgotten to renew its contract with the external company that managed the line.
Staff could have used an email address and app to report issues, but not anonymously, the PRA said.Staff could have used an email address and app to report issues, but not anonymously, the PRA said.
The City firm has now agreed to improve its reporting processes and will face "enhanced scrutiny", the PRA added.The City firm has now agreed to improve its reporting processes and will face "enhanced scrutiny", the PRA added.
In March, Lloyd's was rocked by a highly critical article in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine which described its workplace culture as toxic. It reported female workers had faced inappropriate comments as well as physical attacks from male colleagues. Lloyd's has been trying change its male-dominated culture following a highly critical article in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine in March. It reported female workers had faced inappropriate comments as well as physical attacks from male colleagues.
A survey later commissioned by Lloyd's indicated that 8% of workers had witnessed sexual harassment over the previous 12 months.A survey later commissioned by Lloyd's indicated that 8% of workers had witnessed sexual harassment over the previous 12 months.
To tackle the problem, the 330-year-old market has:To tackle the problem, the 330-year-old market has:
Earlier this month, it also warned staff to behave during the Christmas party season.Earlier this month, it also warned staff to behave during the Christmas party season.
Commenting on the hotline, a spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed by this failure in our internal controls, which serves to remind us all about the need for constant vigilance when it comes to these essential services.Commenting on the hotline, a spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed by this failure in our internal controls, which serves to remind us all about the need for constant vigilance when it comes to these essential services.
"Lloyd's employees can feel confident that we now have all the right mechanisms in place for them to report any wrongdoing, and that these systems are regularly monitored.""Lloyd's employees can feel confident that we now have all the right mechanisms in place for them to report any wrongdoing, and that these systems are regularly monitored."