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Indianapolis launches SpeakFully anonymous reporting tool; HR says 13 submissions since Jan. 10
Summary
The Investigative Committee heard an update Jan. 29 on SpeakFully, a third-party anonymous workplace reporting platform selected by the city and county. The Office of Human Resources said 13 workplace-related reports arrived through the system after a Jan. 10 rollout and that the temporary internal form will be discontinued Feb. 1.
Christa Carlino, chairwoman of the Investigative Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council, called the Jan. 29 meeting to order in Room 260 of the City-County Building and asked the Office of Human Resources to brief the committee on a newly instituted anonymous reporting tool.
Tijuana (Twana) Ellis, director of the Office of Human Resources, told the committee the city selected SpeakFully, a product of HR Acuity, in October 2024 and rolled it out to current and former city-county employees in January. "Speakfully, a product of a company called HR Acuity, was selected in October 2024 in consultation with some of the members of this committee," Ellis said. The administration sent an initial enterprise communication on Jan. 10 and included the tool in the HR newsletter on Jan. 15.
Ellis described SpeakFully as a third‑party case-management platform designed to preserve anonymity while allowing two-way communication. She said features include a 24/7 phone hotline, interpreter support in up to three languages, online reporting accessible via QR code, and an option for live anonymous two‑way communication. The temporary internal anonymous reporting form that had been used last fall will be discontinued on Feb. 1 and redirected to the new SpeakFully site, Ellis said. "It is indy.speakfullynow.com," she told the committee.
"Since Speak fully was rolled out, we have received 13 workplace related concerns through the system," Ellis said. She and committee members clarified that the count combines both "concerns" and more serious "complaints," and that Human Resources is reviewing all 13 items. Ellis said the office is triaging submissions daily and distinguishing matters that require full investigation from items that staff can resolve or answer through policy guidance.
Councilor Brian Mowery (District 25) said the rate of incoming reports was alarming. "That's alarming... 13 in 13 days," Mowery said, and asked whether reporters can return to the system after an item is closed. Ellis replied that users retain a ticket number and can re-open or follow up on a submission.
Committee members asked about training and outreach. Ellis said HR will include reminders about SpeakFully in monthly newsletters, post flyers (including QR codes) at on-site and off-site locations, and incorporate leadership training for department heads. The committee discussed distribution to workplaces where employees lack regular computer access and recommended posting flyers alongside required federal workplace posters.
Members also asked about response timelines and trends. Ellis said turnaround depends on the nature of the submission and that some items may not need extended investigation; she said it is too early to conclude any trends after three weeks but agreed to return with feedback after an agreed monitoring period. The committee encouraged the administration to solicit employee feedback on access and usability and to report back on any barriers staff encounter.
The discussion concluded with the committee thanking HR for the rollout and asking HR to continue regular updates to the committee and the full council as appropriate.
