Whistleblower Policy
Purpose
Step Up For Students (SUFS) requires directors, officers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees and representatives of the organization, we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Guidelines Reporting Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all directors, officers and employees to report ethics violations or suspected violations in accordance with this Whistleblower Policy.
No Retaliation
No director, officer or employee who in good faith reports an ethics violation shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and others to raise serious concerns within the organization prior to seeking resolution outside the organization.
Reporting Violations
SUFS has an open door policy and suggests that employees share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with someone who can address them properly. In most cases, an employee’s supervisor is in the best position to address an area of concern. However, if you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s response, you are encouraged to speak with anyone in management whom you are comfortable in approaching. Supervisors and managers are required to report suspected ethics violations to the organization’s Compliance Officer, who has specific and exclusive responsibility to investigate all reported violations. When you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following organization’s open door policy, individuals may contact the organization’s Compliance Officer directly.
Compliance Officer
The organization’s Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating and resolving all reported complaints and allegations concerning violations and, at his/her discretion, shall advise the President and/or the Chairman. The Compliance Officer has direct access to the board of directors and is required to report to the board at least annually on compliance activity. The Compliance Officer is the Chief Financial Officer.
Acting in Good Faith
Anyone filing a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.
Confidentiality
Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant or submitted anonymously. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.
Handling of Reported Violations
The Compliance Officer will notify the sender and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation within five business days. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Employees using and having access to these corporate assets must take reasonable and prudent steps to preserve the integrity of the systems, data and to protect the assets. These assets should be used primarily for purposes that benefit SUFS and that are directly applicable to an employee’s job function and authority. Occasional personal use is acceptable provided such use does not interfere with company business or the performance of your duties and incurs little or no cost. All communications from SUFS or made and transmitted within SUFS shall be professional in nature as they represent the corporation, its employees, board of directors, and others.
Violation of policy or misuse of corporate assets is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Failure to report known violations of policy in itself constitutes a violation of policy and is therefore subject to disciplinary action.
These policies are intended to augment existing State, Federal, and copyright laws. Failure to comply with applicable State, Federal, or copyright laws is considered a violation of policy and subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Authority and Interpretation
SUFS has the legal right to revise or eliminate this policy at any given time with or without notice. The Human Resource Dept is responsible for interpretations of this policy.
