Policy No. 863

Adopted: 06/27/06
Revisions Approved:

Employees are encouraged to raise serious, substantiated concerns regarding the business and personal ethics of Atlantic Cape Community College trustees, administrators, faculty and staff in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities.

As a practice, the college seeks to resolve issues through established internal channels; however, this policy reinforces Atlantic Cape's commitment to open communication without fear of reprisal or victimization for raising concerns in good faith.

Atlantic Cape strives to abide by the U.S. Dept. of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and other laws which protect workers.

"Whistleblowers" may not be punished for exercising rights afforded to them by law.

Employees are protected from retaliation for complaining to employers, unions, OSHA, or other government agencies about unsafe or unhealthy workplace conditions; environmental problems; certain public safety hazards; accounting, auditing or other financial reporting fraud or misrepresentations; certain violations of federal securities fraud provisions; unethical business conduct; and related activities.

Procedure

1. He or she engaged in protected activity
2. The employer knew about that activity
3. The employer subjected him or her to an adverse employment action
4. The protected activity contributed to the adverse action