Grievance Policy

Our Commitment

Lodge Environmental is committed to ethical conduct, transparency, accountability, and respectful engagement with all stakeholders. We welcome feedback and take grievances seriously as part of our responsibility to continuously improve our social, environmental, and governance performance.

This policy outlines how stakeholders can raise a grievance, how grievances are assessed and managed, and the protections in place for those who raise concerns, in line with our obligations as a Certified B Corporation.

Who Can Raise a Grievance

This policy applies to all stakeholders, including:

• Clients and project partners
• Employees, contractors, and subcontractors
• Suppliers and consultants
• Community members or landholders affected by our work
• Job applicants and prospective employees

How to Raise a Grievance

Stakeholders may raise a grievance using the below email:

Grievances are to be submitted via email to:
[email protected]
(please include “Grievance” in the subject line)

Grounds for Acceptance of a Grievance

A grievance will generally be accepted where it relates to:

• Alleged breaches of law, regulation, or professional standards
• Environmental, social, or governance impacts of our work
• Health, safety, or wellbeing concerns
• Ethical conduct, integrity, or decision-making
• Discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment
• Misalignment with Lodge Environmental values or B Corp commitments

Grievances that are outside our reasonable control, lack sufficient information, or are unrelated to our activities may not be accepted. Where a grievance is not accepted, a clear rationale will be provided.

Grievance Process

Lodge Environmental follows a structured and fair grievance process:

1. Acknowledgement

Receipt of the grievance will be acknowledged within 5 business days.

2. Initial Assessment

The grievance will be assessed to confirm whether it meets the acceptance criteria and to determine the appropriate response pathway.

3. Investigation

Where accepted, the grievance will be reviewed and investigated by an appropriate representative of Lodge Environmental. This may include senior management and, where relevant, external advisers.

4. Response and Resolution

We aim to provide a response or outcome within 20 business days of acknowledgment. Where this timeframe cannot be met, the complainant will be informed of the reasons and provided with updates.

5. Escalation

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, they may request escalation for further review by senior leadership.

Communication and Resolution

Throughout the grievance process, Lodge Environmental commits to:

• Regular communication with the person raising the grievance
• Clear explanation of who is involved in managing and assessing the issue
• Notification when a resolution has been achieved, or
• A clear rationale if the grievance is not accepted or cannot be resolved

Where appropriate, resolutions may include corrective actions, changes to practices, or other remedial measures.

Protection for Those Raising Grievances

Lodge Environmental is committed to providing a safe environment for raising concerns. We have the following protections in place:

• Grievances may be raised confidentially
• No retaliation, discrimination, or adverse treatment will occur as a result of raising a grievance in good faith
• Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis
• Whistleblowers are protected in accordance with applicable Australian legislation

Any form of retaliation will be treated as a serious breach of our policies.