Policy-Code-GBP
Section G: Personnel
Policy Title: Prohibited Personnel Practices
Policy Code: GBP
Lead Department: Human Resources
Print Version (in PDF)
No district employee shall retaliate against an employee for the employee’s disclosure to a public body when the employee reasonably believes there has been a violation of law and/or mismanagement, gross waste of public monies or an abuse of authority.
Retaliation is any adverse treatment of an individual because he or she disclosed to a public body a violation of law and/or mismanagement, gross waste of public monies or an abuse of authority. When the adverse treatment is reasonably likely to deter the individual or others from making such disclosures to a public body, it is grounds for discipline of the employee engaging in the retaliatory conduct. Retaliation, intimidation or harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Any employee or former employee who believes that a district employee has retaliated against the employee for disclosure to a public body when the employee reasonably believes there has been a violation of law and/or mismanagement, gross waste of public monies or an abuse of authority shall make a complaint to the Governing Board in accordance with A.R.S. §38-532.
An employee who knowingly makes false accusations of retaliation or who knowingly makes false accusations that a district employee has engaged in a violation of any law, mismanagement, gross waste of monies, an abuse of authority or false accusation of retaliation for making disclosure as set forth above, is subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal. Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-532, an employee who knowingly makes a false accusation that a district employee has engaged in a violation of any law, mismanagement, a gross waste of monies or an abuse of authority is subject to a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
Adopted: February 12, 2008
Revised: December 12, 2012 (cross reference correction only)
Reviewed: May 28, 2013 [legal ref added]
LEGAL REF.: A.R.S. § 15-514, 23-425, 38-532, 41-785
CROSS REF.: AC - Nondiscrimination
GBA - Equal Employment Opportunity
JB - Equal Educational Opportunities