Employee Manual 2023 - Flipbook - Page 94
APPENDIX L:
WHISTLEBLOWER
A whistleblower, as defined by this policy, is an employee of the City who reports an activity that
they consider being illegal or dishonest to one or more of the parties specified in this policy. The
whistleblower is not responsible for investigating the activity or for determining fault or corrective
measures; appropriate City management is charged with these responsibilities.
Examples of illegal or dishonest activities are violations of federal, state or local laws include billing
for services not performed or for goods not delivered; and other fraudulent financial reporting.
If an employee has knowledge of or a concern of illegal or dishonest fraudulent activity, the
employee is to immediately contact the city manager, mayor, human resources director or city
attorney (an individual who is not the focus of the concern).
The employee must exercise sound judgment to avoid baseless allegations. An employee who
intentionally files a false report of wrongdoing will be subject to discipline up to and including
termination.
Whistleblower protections are provided in two important areas — confidentiality and against
retaliation. Insofar as possible, the confidentiality of the whistleblower will be maintained.
However, identity may have to be disclosed to conduct a thorough investigation, to comply with
the law and to provide accused individuals their legal rights of defense. The City will not retaliate
against a whistleblower. This includes, but is not limited to, protection from retaliation in the form
of an adverse employment action such as termination, compensation decrease, or poor work
assignments and threat of physical harm.
Any whistleblower who believes they are being retaliated against must contact the city manager,
human resources director, mayor or city attorney immediately (an individual who is not the focus
of the concern). The right of a whistleblower for protection against retaliation does not include
immunity for any personal wrongdoing that is alleged and investigated.
City of Plymouth Employee manual - Page 94 – March 2023
