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From the Staff Committee 2014-2015 |
(202) 370-4645 |
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September 22, 2014 |
FYI # 2 /14-15 Original: English |
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Did you know that Rule
101.11 establishes the protection for whistleblowers, informants and
witnesses within the General Secretariat? A Whistleblower
or Informant is defined as a person who provides information to
others in the General Secretariat on conduct and activities which violate the
General Secretariat’s administrative and financial rules and regulations such
as General Standards, the Staff Rules, the Budgetary and Financial Rules, the
Executive Orders, Administrative Memoranda, the annual Program-Budget
Resolution, and the Directives of the Secretary General. Rule 101.11 also defines financial or administrative
misconduct as facts, activities, or occurrences which constitute fraudulent,
illegal, or otherwise improper conduct in violation of the General
Secretariat’s Rules and Regulations. Rule 101.11 establishes that when an informant
provides information he/she is protected against retaliation or reprisal which
is defined as: §
An adverse measure threatened or taken by the General
Secretariat or by any of its staff members against a Whistleblower to punish
him/her for having reported financial and administrative misconduct, or §
An adverse measure threatened or taken against any
individual who states in good faith that he/she has been a witness of the
alleged threat or adverse measure such as discharge, suspension, demotion,
violation of the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement, workplace
harassment, and refusal to employ or contract. This Rule identifies the following individuals as the
appropriate authorities authorized to receive information from
informants. They are: 1.
The Inspector General; 2.
The President of the Staff Association; 3.
The Assistant Secretary for Administration and
Finance; 4.
The Director of the Department of Human Resources;
and 5.
The Director of the Department of Legal Services. The information provided by a Whistleblower or
Informant shall be admissible, which means that the information
is: §
Transmitted in good faith; §
Based on the informant’s reasonable belief that it is
true; and §
Either includes sound evidentiary support, or if
specifically mentioned, is likely to have sound evidentiary support after a
reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery. Any of the appropriate authorities, other than the
Inspector General, who receives information which seems to satisfy the three
requirements for an “Admissible Report” shall promptly inform the
Inspector General of that information in writing, with a copy to the
Secretary General. If the Inspector General receives the information
directly, he/she shall promptly notify the Secretary General in writing. Should you have
any questions or concerns regarding this topic you may contact the president
of the Staff Association or visit Staff Rules - Chapter I |
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