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Safe Disclosure Policy

Ref. No. Executive sponsor Policy steward Approval authority First approved Last reviewed Effective date Next review
42.31 Vice President, College Services and Strategy Director, Human Resources Executive Council Mar. 2015 Oct. 19, 2021 Mar. 20, 2021 Mar. 2026
  1. Purpose
    1. Nova Scotia Community College’s mission of building Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation is pursued in part through the values of integrity and public accountability. These values require openness and accountability to ensure the effective stewardship of NSCC’s resources, processes and environment.
    2. The purpose of this policy is to promote the safe disclosure of improper activity in order to positively impact the reputation, effectiveness, finances and working environment of the College.
  1. Scope
    1. This policy applies to all members of the NSCC Community.
    2. This policy applies to any behaviour taking place in any physical or electronic sites that is connected to and/or may impact the: 
      1. Work and services of the College
      2. Work of College employees, or
      3. Mission and/or reputation of the College
  1. Definitions
Term Definition
College Community Includes, but not limited to: community members, contractors, employees, faculty, industry partners, NSCC Board of Governors, students, and/or volunteers.
Community Member Any person performing work for NSCC or in collaboration with NSCC for a business or academic purpose.
Contractor Any individual or company (and its employees) who provides
services to NSCC under a service contract (i.e., a non-employee-employer relationship).
Discloser Any member of the NSCC community who makes a report under this policy based on information that they reasonably believe could show that an improper activity has been committed or is about to be committed.
Employee Any person performing work for NSCC or providing services to NSCC under an employment contract. This includes all employees, regardless of status, as well as current employees who are on a leave of absence (paid/unpaid).
Faculty Any person specifically hired in a faculty role to deliver a course and evaluate students in accordance with the course outline and learning outcomes, and the assignment of final grades.
Good Faith Refers to the concept of being sincere and without a desire to defraud, deceive, take undo advantage, or in any way act maliciously.
Improper Activity Conduct which includes one or more of official misconduct, maladministration, significant misuse of public resources, or creation of a significant danger to public health or safety. This includes directing or counselling someone to engage in improper activity. Improper activity does not include decisions of policy, business or administration, about which reasonable people might disagree.
Industry Partner Any external organization, company, or employer that collaborates with the College to provide expertise, resources, placements, feedback, or support in the development, delivery, or evaluation of programs, applied research, or workforce initiatives.
Investigator The person or persons charged with conducting the investigation of a disclosure, namely the Director of Human Resources, the Director of Internal Audit or their respective designate.
Maladministration Failure to act, or conduct intended to cover up an act, in a way that is unlawful, unjust, discriminatory or improper, and which adversely impacts someone's interests in a substantial and specific way, or adversely impacts the brand and reputation of the College.
NSCC Board of Governors The governing body of the College. 
Official Misconduct Wrongdoing by a member of NSCC community in carrying out their duties or exercising their authority that may be a criminal offence or is otherwise serious enough that it may justify dismissal if proven. Examples include dishonesty, theft, lack of impartiality when awarding or expending College resources, breach of trust placed in a person by virtue of their position, or misuse of officially obtained information.
Protected Disclosure A disclosure which is made in the good faith belief that it falls within the scope of this policy.
Reprisal Any retaliatory action or measure taken by a member of the NSCC community against a discloser that adversely impacts their employment, status or wellbeing, if that action is connected to a disclosure or was intended to prevent a disclosure. Examples include: intimidation, harassment, discrimination, threats, etc.
Respondent Any member of the NSCC community alleged to have engaged in an improper activity under this policy.
Student Any person who is registered in a program and/or enrolled in courses at NSCC.
Volunteer Any person performing work for NSCC in an unpaid capacity.
Witness A person who has information about any alleged improper activity.
  1. Policy
    1. Commitment
      NSCC is committed to:
      1. Promoting the safe disclosure of improper activity within NSCC, in order to positively impact the reputation, effectiveness, finances and working environment of NSCC.
      2. Protecting any person who discloses improper activity in good faith from retaliatory action.
      3. Responding to all disclosures of improper activity thoroughly, impartially and on a timely basis.
      4. Providing collaborative, efficient, clear and timely mechanisms and approaches for dealing with disclosures.
      5. Protect the dignity, wellbeing, career interests and reputation of all parties involved.
      6. Taking appropriate action where evidence of improper activity has been found.
    2. Roles and Responsibilities
      1. All Members of the NSCC community are responsible for disclosing improper activity in good faith.
      2. The Board of Governors is responsible for fostering a culture of integrity.
      3. The President is accountable for oversight of the policy.
      4. The President and Executive Team are responsible for fostering a culture of integrity and effective stewardship of the public trust.
      5. The Director, Human Resources, is responsible for the oversight and application of the policy and the coordination of NSCC’s response to disclosed information. This includes:
        1. ensuring disclosed information is reviewed and investigated in a fair, efficient and transparent manner.
        2. maintaining confidential records of disclosures and responses.
        3. developing and implementing procedures and communications to ensure effective administration of the policy.
      6. The Director, Internal Audit is responsible for the oversight and application of the policy and the coordination of NSCC's response to disclosed information in cases where the Director, Human Resources or a member of Human Resources is a respondent.
      7. NSCC Leaders (AVPs, Principals, Deans, Academic Chairs, Directors and Managers) are responsible for providing advice on policy provisions, receiving disclosures, and addressing and providing assistance in the College review and response to disclosed information.
      8. It is the responsibility of every Employee to be familiar with and to comply with the provisions of this policy. This includes adhering to confidentiality obligations and participating in any Procedures taken under this policy.
  1. Policy Supports

42.01  Employee Code of Conduct 
76.25 Fraud Policy 

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