Washington state’s Hanford Concerns Council was organized to help facilitate processes for and protect whistle blowers.
The membership consists of advocacy group members, private company representatives and independent 3rd parties.
The organization was created 20 years ago to help field and resolve whistle blower complaints that included lawsuits and alleged corporate retaliation. One of the primary goals during the formation of the organization was to address the complaints stemming from the Hanford Site nuclear facility in southeastern Washington state. The facility consisted of several nuclear plant operations designed to produce weapons grade plutonium for the military. The facility ran from 1943 through 1987. Presently, the location is the subject of a large environmental cleanup effort.
The Hanford Concerns Council was designed based on the state’s mediation laws. Originally called the Hanford Joint Council for Resolving Employee Concerns, the organization fields concerns from employees from the three companies that take part in the council. The companies include Washington River Protection Solutions, Washington Closure Hanford and CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. The council then decides if the situation fits into the council’s self-defined jurisdiction and whether it wants to address the situation. The council has worked on over 120 cases since its inception.
Council members are allowed to approach any employee of the company to investigate the situation, which usually consists of a safety, technical or personal problem inside the company.
The council weighs both the employee and employer input and then documents a solution. The employee can take or refuse the solution, but the company must carry out the proposed solution, unless it goes against laws or contractual provisions.

Modern Business Associates is an HR company that focuses on payroll and HR outsourcing. We routinely work with clients on benefits and HR management. As a Professional Payroll and HR outsource organization, our clients rely on us to help them effectively deal with these kinds of topics.