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Whistleblower: Difference between revisions
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Policy No.: '''8018'''<br /> | Policy No.: '''8018'''<br /> | ||
Effective Date: ''' | Effective Date: '''04/11/19'''<br /> | ||
Revised Date: | Revised Date: '''04/11/19''' <br /> | ||
Reviewed Date: | Reviewed Date: '''04/11/19''' <br /> | ||
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<big>'''Reporting Suspected University-Related Misconduct and Prohibition Against Retaliation | <big>'''Reporting Suspected University-Related Misconduct and Prohibition Against Retaliation | ||
(Whistleblower Policy)'''</big> | (Whistleblower Policy)'''</big> | ||
==Basis for Policy== | ==Basis for Policy== | ||
The general purpose of this policy is to protect any University of Nebraska student, employee or other member of the University community (hereinafter "Individuals") who makes a good-faith disclosure of suspected University-related misconduct. This policy supplements the existing Nebraska whistleblower law, the Nebraska State Effectiveness Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. | The general purpose of this policy is to protect any University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) student, employee or other member of the University community (hereinafter "Individuals") who makes a good-faith disclosure of suspected University-related misconduct. This policy supplements the existing Nebraska whistleblower law, the Nebraska State Effectiveness Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2701 to § 81-2711, which protects state employees who report wrongdoing to elected State officials. (University of Nebraska Board of Regents Minutes, 75, January 25, 2019, pp. 95 and 101-102) | ||
==Reporting Suspected University-Related Misconduct== | ==Reporting Suspected University-Related Misconduct== | ||
The University of Nebraska places a high value on its ability and commitment to conduct its affairs ethically and in compliance with the law. | The University of Nebraska, including UNMC, places a high value on its ability and commitment to conduct its affairs ethically and in compliance with the law. UNMC encourages individuals to make good-faith reports of suspected University-related misconduct. Under this policy, misconduct includes a violation of the law or UNMC policies or procedures and may occur on or off campus. Retaliation in response to such reports is prohibited and is a violation of UNMC policy. <br /> | ||
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Individuals (including groups) wishing to report suspected University-related misconduct may use the | Individuals (including groups) wishing to report suspected University-related misconduct may use the UNMC online reporting system/hotline (hotline). Reports made on the hotline will be directed to a designated University of Nebraska or UNMC official. The University of Nebraska hotline is available for online reporting at https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/52126/index.html or by phone at 844-348-9584. Individuals may also report suspected University-related misconduct to a supervisor, the UNMC Ombuds Team Referral Office at 402-559-2491, or the UNMC Compliance Office at 402-559-9576 or 402-559-6767.<br /> | ||
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Reports of suspected misconduct may be made anonymously. Reports and the related investigations will be kept confidential to the extent possible under law and consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation and take corrective action. | Reports of suspected misconduct may be made anonymously. Reports and the related investigations will be kept confidential to the extent possible under law and consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation and take corrective action. | ||
==Retaliation Prohibited== | ==Retaliation Prohibited== | ||
No individual shall take retaliatory action against any other individual for reporting suspected University-related misconduct or for assisting in an authorized investigation of alleged University-related misconduct. Retaliation under this policy means an adverse action or threat | No individual shall take retaliatory action against any other individual for reporting suspected University-related misconduct or for assisting in an authorized investigation of alleged University-related misconduct. Retaliation under this policy means an adverse action or threat made against an individual in response to a good-faith report of a known or suspected violation of law or policy. Retaliation, which includes any action that is likely to deter whistleblowing, may result in disciplinary action up to, and including, expulsion, termination of employment or termination of contract.<br /> | ||
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Individuals who believe they have been subjected to retaliation in violation of this policy should submit a report with | Individuals who believe they have been subjected to retaliation in violation of this policy should submit a report with UNMC’s hotline (1-844-348-9584 or www.nebraska.ethicspoint.com) or file a complaint with the Executive Vice President and Provost or the Associate Vice President for Human Resources. | ||
==Exclusions== | ==Exclusions== | ||
This policy does not protect an individual who files a report or provides information that the individual knows to be false or has a reckless disregard for or willful ignorance of the report or information’s truth or falsity. An individual who is determined to have provided such information may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, termination of employment or termination of contract. | This policy does not protect an individual who files a report or provides information that the individual knows to be false or has a reckless disregard for or willful ignorance of the report or information’s truth or falsity. An individual who is determined to have provided such information may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, termination of employment or termination of contract. <br /> | ||
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Furthermore, this policy is not intended to prohibit supervisors from taking other valid action, including disciplinary action, in the usual scope of their duties. | Furthermore, this policy is not intended to prohibit supervisors or management from taking other valid action, including disciplinary action, in the usual scope of their duties. | ||
==Other Protections== | ==Other Protections== | ||
===Rights under the Nebraska State Effectiveness Act=== | ===Rights under the Nebraska State Effectiveness Act=== | ||
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*[mailto:sarah.glodencarlson@unmc.edu Chief Compliance Officer], 402-559-9576 | *[mailto:sarah.glodencarlson@unmc.edu Chief Compliance Officer], 402-559-9576 | ||
*UNMC Compliance Office, 402-559-6767 | *UNMC Compliance Office, 402-559-6767 | ||
*UNMC Ombuds Team Referral Office, 402-559-2491 | |||
*[http://nebraskalegislature.gov/divisions/ombud.php The State Ombudsman's Office] | *[http://nebraskalegislature.gov/divisions/ombud.php The State Ombudsman's Office] | ||
*University of Nebraska: Reporting Fraud: | *University of Nebraska: Reporting Fraud: | ||
:*[https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/52126/index.html | :*[https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/52126/index.html NU EthicsPoint] | ||
:*[https://nebraska.edu/faculty-and-staff/reporting-fraud.html Reporting Fraud] | :*[https://nebraska.edu/faculty-and-staff/reporting-fraud.html Reporting Fraud] | ||
*Nebraska State Government Effectiveness Act: | *Nebraska State Government Effectiveness Act: | ||