Whistleblower Policy

Whistleblower Policy

The North Castle Public Library is committed to operating in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including those concerning accounting and auditing, and prohibits fraudulent practices by any of its board members, officers, employees, or volunteers.  This policy outlines the procedure to report actions that an employee reasonably believes violate a law, or regulation or that constitute fraudulent accounting or other practices.  This policy applies to any matter which is related to the North Castle Public Library’s business and does not relate to private acts of an individual not connected to the business of the North Castle Public Library.

If an employee has a reasonable belief that the North Castle Public Library has engaged in any action that violates any applicable law, or regulation, including those concerning accounting and auditing, or constitutes a fraudulent practice, the employee is expected to immediately report such information to the Library Director.  If the employee does not feel comfortable reporting the information to the Library Director, he or she is expected to report the information to the Board of Trustees of the North Castle Public Library.

All reports will be followed up promptly, and an investigation conducted.  In conducting its investigations, the North Castle Public Library will strive to keep the identity of the complaining individual as confidential as possible, while conducting an adequate review and investigation.  

The North Castle Public Library will not retaliate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because that employee:  (a) reports to a supervisor, to the executive director, the Board of Directors, or to a federal, state, or local agency what the employee believes in good faith to be a violation of the law; or (b) participates in good faith in any resulting investigation or proceeding, or (c) exercises his or her rights under any state or federal law(s) or regulation(s) to pursue a claim or take legal action to protect the employee’s rights.

The North Castle Public Library may take disciplinary action against an employee who in management’s assessment has engaged in retaliatory conduct in violation of this policy.

In addition, North Castle Public Library will not, with the intent to retaliate, take any action harmful to any employee who has provided to law enforcement personnel or court truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission by the North Castle Public Library or any of its employees of a violation of any applicable law or regulation.

Supervisors will be trained on this policy and North Castle Public Library’s prohibition against retaliation in accordance with this policy.

Approved by The North Castle Public Library Board of Trustees

October 10, 2022