TAMRMS#: B06
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Whistleblower Protection Policy
Presented by: Michelle Bonnici, GM of Corporate Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the agenda report entitled “Whistleblower Protection Policy” be received as information.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
A whistleblower directive will establish and maintain a system to allow employees to report fraud, to ensure confidentiality where possible and prevent retaliation for reporting.
COUNCIL DIRECTION
On February 27, 2017 Council passed the following motion:
(CM-17-014)
That Administration develop for Council's consideration a Whistleblower Protection Policy similar to that of City of Edmonton and other communities with the Internal Auditor before the end of Q3 2017.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Administration researched whistleblower policies and procedures from other municipalities and organizations (including City of Edmonton, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, City of Medicine Hat, Lethbridge College and Government of Alberta).
The proposed administrative directive supports transparent and ethical practices and encourages accountability by providing a venue to report fraud without retribution.
Complainants would file a report to a third party provider (i.e. a law firm) which would vet the complaint and provide it to the General Manager of Corporate Services to assign to the appropriate department for investigation. All efforts would be taken to protect confidentiality when requested, unless required by law to release. However, complainants are reminded that anonymous complaints may be difficult to investigate if insufficient information is provided. The whistleblower directive excludes respectful workplace complaints which already have an investigative process.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The development of this directive included research from other organizations and involved an internal review from Legal Services, Legislative Services and Human Resources.
IMPLI...
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