GENERAL EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE ISSUES

Ethics and Integrity

Colby Community College is committed to operating in furtherance of its tax-exempt purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those concerning accounting and auditing, and prohibits fraudulent practices by any of its board members, officers, employees, or volunteers. This policy outlines a procedure for employees to report actions that an employee reasonably believes violates a law, or regulation or that constitutes fraudulent accounting or other practices.  This policy applies to any matter that is related to Colby Community College’s business and does not relate to private acts of an individual unconnected to the business of Colby Community College.

If an employee has a reasonable belief that an employee or Colby Community College has engaged in any action that violates any applicable law, or regulation, including those concerning accounting and auditing, or constitutes a fraudulent practice, the employee is expected to immediately report such information to their immediate supervisor. If the employee does not feel comfortable reporting the information to their immediate supervisor, he or she is expected to report the information to the HR Department of the College. Failure to report this type of information could result in negative or adverse sanctions including termination of the employee.

All reports will be followed up promptly, and an investigation conducted.  In conducting its investigations, Colby Community College will strive to keep the identity of the complaining individual as confidential as possible, while conducting an adequate review and investigation.

Colby Community College will not retaliate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because that employee:  (a) reports to a supervisor, to the executive director, the Board of Directors or to a federal, state or local agency what the employee believes in good faith to be a violation of the law; or (b) participates in good faith in any resulting investigation or proceeding, or (c) exercises his or her rights under any state or federal law(s) or regulation(s) to pursue a claim or take legal action to protect the employee’s rights.

Colby Community College may take disciplinary action (up to and including termination) against an employee who in management’s assessment has engaged in retaliatory conduct in violation of this policy.

[In addition, Colby Community College will not, with the intent to retaliate, take action harmful to an employee who has provided to law enforcement personnel or a court truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission by Colby Community College or any of its employees of a violation of any applicable law or regulation.]

Supervisors will be trained on this policy and Colby Community College’s prohibition against retaliation in accordance with this policy.

[Added November 2016]
[Reviewed December 2020]