Governance
Overview
At PLOS we are committed to establishing best practices that demonstrate our values at the highest standards. We encourage all PLOS employees to reflect this, no matter their role or responsibilities. We aim to offer transparency and fairness as an open access publisher and welcome any questions or feedback.
Polices, procedures and processes will be reviewed regularly to ensure we are both ethically and legally compliant. For further information on our processes or procedures, please see our Governance guidelines and latest policies below.
Governance documents
- PLOS Anti-Bribery Policy (April 22, 2024)
- PLOS Audit and Risk Committee Charter (October 8, 2022)
- PLOS Bylaws (December 15, 2020)
- PLOS Code of Ethics (October 10, 2022)
- PLOS Conflict of Interest Policy (June 29, 2024)
- PLOS Development Committee Charter (October 12, 2024)
- PLOS Finance Committee Charter (February 23, 2024)
- PLOS Governance and Nominations Committee Charter (October 8, 2022)
- PLOS Human Capital Committee Charter (September 26,2025)
- PLOS Whistleblower Protection Policy (November 20, 2025)
How to report a concern
We strive to foster an inclusive, safe and open working environment. This is why we encourage our employees to speak up if they are dealing with a situation or behavior that does not fall in line with these values or standards. We are committed to addressing genuine concerns professionally and openly.
The PLOS Speak Up Helpline is your 24-hour reporting system
We know bringing up concerns can be difficult. This helpline is a safe space for you to speak up. Confidential and anonymous, please use the helpline to report workplace ethics concerns or incidents such as discrimination, harassment, Code of Ethics violations, bribery, kickbacks, undisclosed conflicts of interest, embezzlement, financial misconduct, privacy breach, security breach, or safety concerns.
Confidential and secure
Your confidential report will be forwarded to the administrators of the platform (the CFO and PLOS Legal Team) instantly and discreetly for review and proper handling. If your report involves the CFO or a member of the Legal Department, they will be automatically blocked from viewing the report.
You can choose your level of anonymity when reporting a concern:
Completely anonymous
Anonymous to PLOS but known to Convercent
Speak up. We’re hear to listen
To report your concerns
To make a report at any time, go to speakup.plos.org or call free on one of the numbers below. (All numbers are available at the website by selecting your current location.)
Online at: https://speakup.plos.org/
By phone:
USA: 1-800-461-9330
UK: 0808 189 1053
Germany: 0800 181 2396
Singapore: 1800 852 3912
This service is not an emergency hotline. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, users are to immediately call local authorities. All contacts are confidential and users are assured anonymity when they request it. The employer reserves the right to act or not to act on any information provided unless required to do so by law. Furthermore, the employer is not required to disclose its response or actions pursuant to any information that may be provided or reported. The intentional misreporting of information may be actionable and subject to criminal investigation.
Speak up. We’re hear to listen
To report your concerns
To make a report at any time, go to speakup.plos.org or call free on one of the numbers below. (All numbers are available at the website by selecting your current location.)
Online at: https://speakup.plos.org/
By phone:
USA: 1-800-461-9330
UK: 0808 189 1053
Germany: 0800 181 2396
Singapore: 1800 852 3912
This service is not an emergency hotline. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, users are to immediately call local authorities. All contacts are confidential and users are assured anonymity when they request it. The employer reserves the right to act or not to act on any information provided unless required to do so by law. Furthermore, the employer is not required to disclose its response or actions pursuant to any information that may be provided or reported. The intentional misreporting of information may be actionable and subject to criminal investigation.
