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300-51
0POLICY&PROCEDURESubject:Index:HUMANRESOURCES&RISKREPORTINGIMPROPERGOVERNMENTALMANAGEMENTACTION(WHISTLEBLOWER)Number:300-51EffectiveDate:Supersedes:Page:StaffContact:Approvedy:July27,20182/1/951of11EllenBradley-Mak1.0PURPOSE:CityemployeesareencouragedtoreportimpropergovernmentalactionbyCityofficersoremployees.Thispolicyandprocedureprovidesaprocessforreportingsuchactionandprotectingemployeesagainstretaliatoryactionsforreportingandcooperatingintheinvestigationand/orprosecutionofimproperactioningoodfaith.2.0ORGANIZATIONSAFFECTED:Alldepartments/divisions3.0REFERENCES:Chapter42.41RCW-LocalGovernmentWhistleblowerProtectionPolicy&Procedure300-47Discipline4.0POLICY:TheCityofRentonencouragesthereportingbyitsemployeesofimpropergovernmentalactiontakenbyCityofficersoremployees.TheCityprotectsemployeesagainstretaliatoryactionsforreportingimpropergovernmentalactionwhensuchreportingismadeincompliancewiththispolicy.5.0DEFINITIONS:5.1Impropergovernmentalaction:AnyactionbyaCityofficeroremployee(excludingpersonnelaction)thatisundertakenintheperformanceoftheofficer’soremployee’sofficialduties,whetherornottheactioniswithinthescopeofemployment,and5.1.1Theactionisinviolationofanyfederal,stateorlocallaworrule.5.1.2Theactionisanabuseofauthority. Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.25.1.3Theactionisofsubstantialandspecificdangertothepublichealthorsafety.5.1.4Theactionisagrosswasteofpublicfunds.5.2Retaliatoryaction:Anyadversechangeinanemployee’stermsandconditionsofemployment,orhostileactionsbyoneemployeetowardanotheremployeethatisencouragedortoleratedbyasupervisor.5.3Tointerferewiththeemployee’srighttoreportimpropergovernmentalaction:Localgovernmentofficialsareprohibitedfromdirectlyorindirectlyusingtheirofficialauthoritytoinfluence,threaten,intimidateorcoerceanemployeeforreportingimproperaction.5.4Emergency:Acircumstancethatifnotimmediatelychangedmaycausedamagetopersonsorproperty.5.5GoodFaith:Theindividualprovidingtheinformationorreportofimpropergovernmentalactionhasareasonablebasisinfactforreportingorprovidingtheinformation.5.6GrossWaste:Asignificantorrecurringintentionalmisuseofpublicfunds,anddoesnotincludeunintentionalerrors.6.0PROCEDURES:6.1Employeeswhoobtaininformationdemonstratingimpropergovernmentalactionsandwishtoreportitshallobservethefollowingprocedures:6.1.1RaisetheissuewiththeirDepartmentAdministrator,ifnon-involved,inwriting,statingindetailthebasisfortheemployee’sbeliefthatanimproperactionhasoccurred.6.1.2WheretheemployeebelievestheimproperactioninvolvestheDepartmentAdministratortheemployeemayraisetheissuedirectlywiththeCityAttorney,ChiefAdministrativeOfficer(CAO),ortheCAO’sdesignee.6.1.3Inthecaseofanemergency,wheretheemployeebelievesthatdamagetopersonsorpropertymayresultifactionisnottakenimmediatelytheemployeemayreporttheimpropergovernmentalactiondirectlytotheappropriategovernmentagencywithresponsibilityforinvestigatingtheimproperaction.(SeeAppendixA,County,StateandFederalenforcementagencies.) Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.36.2TheDepartmentAdministrator,CityAttorney,orCAO,ortheirdesigneeasthecasemaybe,shalltakepromptactiontoassisttheCityininvestigatingthereportofimpropergovernmentaction.Thoseinvolvedininvestigatingthereportshallkeepthenameofthereportingemployeeconfidentialtotheextentpossibleunderlaw,unlesstheemployeeauthorizesdisclosureoftheiridentityinwriting.Aftertheinvestigationhasbeencompleted,theemployeereportingtheimpropergovernmentalactionshallbeadvisedoftheresultsoftheinvestigation,withtheexceptionofpersonnelactionstakenasaresultoftheinvestigationwhichmaybekeptconfidential.6.3CityofficialsandemployeesareprohibitedfromtakingretaliatoryactionagainstaCityemployeebecausetheyhaveingoodfaithreportedanimpropergovernmentalactioninaccordancewiththispolicy.Cityofficialsoremployeesmaynotusetheirofficialauthoritytoinfluence,directlyorindirectly,tothreaten,intimidateorcoerceanemployeeforthepurposeofinterferingwiththatemployee’srighttodiscloseinformationconcerninganimpropergovernmentalaction.6.4EmployeeswhobelievethattheyhavebeenretaliatedagainstforreportinganimpropergovernmentactionshouldadvisetheirDepartmentAdministratorortheHumanResources&RiskManagementAdministratorwhoshalltakeappropriateactiontoinvestigateandaddresscomplaintsofretaliation.6.5EmployeesmayappealtotheMayorifnotsatisfiedwiththefindingsofaninvestigationofaclaimofretaliatoryaction.Thisappealcanbedonebysubmittingawrittencomplaintspecifyingtheallegedretaliatoryactionandthereliefrequested.Thisrequestmustbemadenolaterthanthirty(30)daysaftertheoccurrenceoftheallegedretaliatoryaction.6.5.1TheCityshallhavethirty(30)daysinwhichtorespondafterreceiptofawrittenchargeofretaliatoryaction.6.5.2AfterreceivingtheCity’sresponse,theemployeemayrequestahearingbeforeastateadministrativelawjudge(AU)toestablishthataretaliatoryactionoccurredandtoobtainappropriatereliefprovidedbylaw.Therequestforhearingmustbedeliveredwithinfifteen(15)daysofreceiptoftheCity’sresponsetothechargeofretaliatoryaction,orwithinforty-five(45)daysofdeliveryofthechargeofretaliationtotheMayorforresponse.6.5.3Withinfive(5)workingdaysofreceiptofarequestforhearingtheCityshallapplytotheStateOfficeofAdministrativeHearingsforan Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.4adjudicativeproceedingbeforeanadministrativelawjudge.Understatelaw,theemployeemustprovethataretaliatoryactionoccurredbyapreponderanceoftheevidenceinthehearing.TheAUwillissueafinaldecisionnolaterthanforty-five(45)daysafterthedateoftherequestforhearing,unlessanextensionoftimeisgranted.6.6Limitations6.6.1Cityemployeeswhofailtomakeagood-faithattempttofollowthispolicyinreportingimpropergovernmentalactionshallnotreceivetheprotectionsprovidedunderthispolicyortheLocalGovernmentWhistleblowerProtectionAct,chapter42.41RCW.6.6.2Employeeswhomakereportsthatheorsheknowstobefalsemaybesubjecttothedisciplinaryproceduresinpolicy300-47Discipline6.7AppendixA,attachedtothisPolicyandProcedure,listsagenciesresponsibleforenforcingfederal,state,andlocallawsandinvestigatingimpropergovernmentalaction. Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.5APPENDIXAManyorganizationshaveonlineformsavailableforthepurposeoffilingcomplaints.COUNTY,STATEANDFEDERALENFORCEMENTAGENCIESKINGCOUNTYKingCountyOmbudsmanGeneralComplaints206-477-1050https://www.kingcounty.gov/independent/ombudsman.aspxKingCountyCodeEnforcement206-296-6680https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/permitting-environmental-review/ce.aspxKingCountyPublicHealthComplianceHotline206-263-8255KingCountyProsecutingAttorneyKingCountyCourtHouseCriminalDivision206-296-9000EconomicCrimesUnit206-477-3733CivilDivision206-477-1120https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/prosecutor.aspxKingCountyEnvironmentalHealthServices206-263-9566https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health.aspxPugetSoundCleanAirAgency206-343-8800https://www.pscleanair.org/ Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.6COUNTY,STATEANDFEDERALENFORCEMENTAGENCIESSTATEOFWASHINGTONWashingtonStateOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralConsumerProtection8005thAvenue,Suite2000Seattle,WA98104-318$360-753-6200or800-551-4636http://www.atg.wa.gov/OfficeoftheWashingtonStateAuditorInsuranceBuildingCapitolCampus302SidSnyderAve.SWOlympia,WA98504-0021866-902-3900http://www.sao.wa.gov/StateDepartmentofEcology3190160thS.E.Bellevue,WA98008-5452425-649-7000https://ecology.wa.gov/StateDepartmentofHealthHealthConsumerAssistanceandSupportKentRegionalOffice2042572AvenueSouth,Building2,Suite310Kent,WA98032800-525-0127https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProviderCredentialSearch/ConsumerAssistanceandSupportDepartmentofLabor&Industries12806GatewayDr.S.Tukwila,WA98168206-835-1000http://www.Ini.wa.gov/ Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.7StateLiquorandCannabisBoardEnforcementOffice3000PacificAveSEOlympia,WA98504360-664-9878https://Icb.wa.gov/enforcement/Iocate-enforcement-officeDepartmentofNaturalResourcesMS47000Olympia,WA98504360-902-1000https://www.dnr.wa.gov/DepartmentofSocialHealthServicesOfficeofFraudandAccountabilityFraudHotline800-562-6025https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sesa/fraud-and-accountabilityUNITEDSTATESDepartmentofAgricultureOfficeofInspectorGeneralWesternRegionInvestigations1333Broadway,Suite400Oakland,CA94612510-208-6860https://www.usda.gov/oig/AlcoholTobacco&FirearmsCriminalEnforcement1521;stAvenueSouth,Suite600Seattle,WA98134206-204-3205https://www.atf.gov/seattle-field-divisionUnitedStatesAttorney’sOffice700StewartStreet,Suite5220Seattle,WA98101-1271206-553-7970https://www.ustice.gov/usao-wdwa Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.8DepartmentofCommerceOfficeofInspectorGeneral915SecondAvenueSeattle,WA98174206-220-7970https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Hotline.aspxConsumerProductSafetyCommissionHotLine:800-638-2772https://www.cpsc.gov/U.S.CustomsandBorderProtection1000—2ndAye,Suite2200Seattle,WA98104206-370-3700https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/seattle#U.S.DepartmentofEducationOfficeofInspectorGeneral400MarylandAvenueSWMarylandAvenue,SW.WashingtonD.C.20202-1500800-647-8733https://ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/hotline.htmIEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyCriminalInvestigations1200SixthAvenue,Suite900Seattle,WA98101206-553-8306https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-10-pacific-northwestFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyFederalRegionalCenter130228thStreet5.W.Bothell,WA98021-8627425-487-4600https://www.fema.gov/ Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.9FederalTradeCommissionNorthwestRegion915SecondAvenue,Room2896Seattle,WA98174877-382-4357https://www.ftc.gov/GeneralServicesAdministrationNorthwestWashingtonServiceArea40015thStreetSWAuburn,WA98001800-424-5210https://www.gsa.gov/DepartmentofHealth&HumanServicesFood&DrugAdministration10903NewHampshireAvenueSilverSpring,MD20993888-463-6332https://www.fda.gov/OfficeoftheRegionalSecretaryGeneralCounsel’sOfficeInspectorGeneral701FifthAvenue,Suite1600Seattle,WA98104206-615-2268DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentSeattleRegionalOffice909FristAvenue,Suite200Seattle,WA98104-1000206-220-5108DepartmentofInteriorU.S.Fish&WildlifeServicesOfficeofLawEnforcement844-397-8477https://www.fws.gov/877-933-9847https://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/reporting_violations.html Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.10DepartmentofJusticeDrugEnforcementAdministrationSeattleDivision3005thAvenue,Suite1300206-553-5443https://www.dea.gov/index.shtmlDepartmentofLaborOccupationalSafety&Health(OSHA)FederalOSHA800-321-6742https://www.dol.gov/WashingtonState300FifthAvenue,Suite1280Seattle,WA98104206-757-6700OfficeofWomen’sBureau2Seattle,WA98104206-757-6740MineSafety&HealthAdministrationMetalandNonmetal—WesternDistrict6811South204thStreet,Suite180Kent,WA98032253-395-9585CoalMineSafetyandHealth—District9NationalTransportationSafetyBoard—WesternPacificRegionalOffice505South336thStreet,Suite540FederalWay,WA98003253-874-2880https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/default.aspx Policy300-51ReportingImproperGovernmentalAction(Whistleblower)p.11NuclearRegulatoryCommissionNRCWaste,FraudorAbuse800-233-3497SafetyorSecurityConcern800-695-7403SecuritiesandExchangeCommissionSanFranciscoRegionalOffice44MontgomeryStreet,Suite2800SanFrancisco,CA94104415-705-2500https://www.sec.gov/DepartmentofTransportationOfficeofInspectorGeneral—RegionalInvestigationsOfficeSeattle,WA206-220-7754DepartmentofTreasuryBureauofAlcoholTobacco&FirearmsLawEnforcementDivision915SecondAvenue,Room790Seattle,WA98174206-204-7693https://www.atf.gov/DepartmentofVeteransAffairsInspectorGeneralFraud/Waste/AbuseHotLine800-488-8244206-220-6637https://www.va.gov/oig/