Whistle Blower Policy

Purpose

Seneca will conduct its operations and develop policies and practices consistent with By-Law No. 1, all legal statutes and professional requirements established by public policy and the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act (2002) Regulation 34/03, the Minister’s Binding Policy Directives and the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act 2010 (when enforced).

Scope

Seneca is committed to the values of equity, diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of its operations and activities. This commitment and policy apply to all employees and students of Seneca.

Key definitions

Whistle blowing

Whistle Blowing as defined in this policy is the release or disclosure of information by an employee or student that is evidence of improper activity or a violation of law as defined above.

Whistle Blowing is not an individual concern, appeal, complaint, grievance, or issue associated with matters such as but not limited to: academic appeals, student or employee conduct, harassment, discrimination, accessibility, copyright, intellectual property, individual health or safety, management or employee performance, provisions contained in collective agreements and/or legal statute.

Policy

Any member of the Seneca community will have the right to invoke this policy where there is an honest belief that Seneca or its members are engaged in serious misconduct, wrongdoing or illegal activity and there is no confidential internal policy or mechanism available to raise issues of a public concern.

Specifically, these are issues that constitute: a criminal offence; negligent, improper or gross mismanagement of any Seneca or public funds; a serious, willful and flagrant breach of federal, provincial, or municipal statute or Seneca policy, procedure or regulation; and/or a substantial and specific danger to the environment or public health and safety.

1. Administrative guidelines

  1. If any student or employee reasonably knows or has reason to believe that Seneca, or a member of Seneca, is engaged in activity covered by this policy, they may file, in confidence, a written complaint, report or disclosure with the Office of the President or, in the event of a conflict of interest, to the Chair of the Board of Governors.
  2. The Office of the President and/or Board Chair shall receive, determine, investigate and resolve, where appropriate, all complaints/disclosures as defined by this policy.
  3. Anonymous allegations will only be acted upon if the evidence collected during the preliminary investigation indicates the disclosure can be properly investigated and is in the public interest.
  4. In the event that an internal solution is not available and depending on the nature of the complaint/disclosure, the matter may be referred to the Ministry or other external agency commission, tribunal and/or legal process for resolution.
  5. Seneca will not retaliate against any student or employee who in good faith makes a complaint/disclosure or raises a concern in accordance with this policy, or discloses information to an external agency/body against Seneca or any employee of Seneca on the basis of a reasonable and honest belief that the information is true and in the public interest.
  6. A student or employee is protected from retaliation in accordance with this Whistle Blower Policy if the complaint/disclosure is made in good faith and is not knowingly false or materially inaccurate.
  7. If a person makes a complaint/disclosure under this policy in bad faith or knowingly provides false or materially inaccurate information, they shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions, including reprimand, suspension, demotion, expulsion or termination.

Supporting documentation

  • None

Related Seneca policies

Related materials


Approval Date: July 2014

Last Revision: April 2021