VIU’s Safe Disclosure Policy and related Safe Disclosure Procedure ensure VIU is compliant with BC’s Public Interest Disclosure Act which requires that all BC public bodies have a safe process to receive and investigate complaints of Wrongdoing and prevent reprisals.
The policy and procedure establish a safe and confidential process for employees, volunteers and contractors to request advice or make a disclosure where they have reasonable and good faith concerns about wrongdoing.
VIU will not participate in or condone any acts of reprisal against a person who seeks advice, discloses, or participates in an investigation in relation to wrongdoing. Reprisals include any measure that adversely affects the conditions of a person’s employment, volunteer position or contractual relationship.
What is Wrongdoing?
The Policy defines a “Wrongdoing” as:
- a serious act or omission that, if proven, would constitute an offence under an enactment of British Columbia or Canada
- an act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons, or to the environment, other than a danger that is inherent in the performance of an employee’s duties or functions
- a serious misuse of VIU funds or VIU assets
- an act of fraud which includes, but is not limited to:
- Misappropriating, misapplication, destruction, removal or concealment of VIU property
- Alteration or falsification of paper or electronic documents (e.g. cheques, grant applications, time sheets, requisitions, budgets, etc.) including the inappropriate destruction of paper or electronic documents
- Impropriety in handling or reporting money or financial transactions
- Authorizing or receiving payment for goods not received or services not performed
- Any intentional claim for reimbursement of ineligible expenses or unearned payment of fees or wages
- Misuse of position, whether for personal financial gain or for purported University advantage (e.g. paying or accepting kickbacks, bribes or rebates)
- gross or systemic mismanagement
- knowingly directing or counselling a person to commit any act or omission described in paragraphs (a) to (e) above
This Policy/Procedure is not intended to replace existing avenues for members of the VIU community to address concerns. The following resources are available to individuals who choose to inquire about or report on matters that will usually fall outside of the Safe Disclosure Policy and Procedure:
Issue | Role | Resource |
|---|---|---|
Sexualized Violence | Human Resources, CUPE, BCGEU, VIUFA Diversity Equity and Human Rights Office | |
Campus security concerns and first aid | Campus Security First Aid | |
Human resources or labour relations concerns | Human Resources Department | |
Student Conduct matters | Student Affairs – Conduct and Care | |
Discrimination and harassment concerns | Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office | |
Research ethics matters | Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity | |
Conflicts of Interest (unrelated to research) | Employees and Students Conflicts of Commitment Governance | Policy 21.06 Conflicts of Interest Related to Employees and Students Policy 43.24 Activities Outside of Employment with the University |
If you wish to seek advice or report a wrongdoing at VIU under the Safe Disclosure Policy and Procedure, please complete a brief intake assessment.
Request Advice or Report a Wrongdoing
The BC Ombudsperson is also a resource for employees who may have questions about PIDA and/or the process for reporting wrongdoings or reprisals. The BC Ombudsperson website has specific resources for all supervisors and employees.
The resources for supervisors include tips for maintaining confidentiality and supervisor responsibilities under PIDA. Supervisors can access those materials here:
For Supervisors - Office of the Ombudsperson
The resources for employees include information about how to recognize a wrongdoing, information for witnesses in investigation proceedings, the complaint mechanisms available to employees and Frequently Asked Questions about the Public Interest Disclosure Act. Employees can access all of those materials at the following link:
For Employees - Office of the Ombudsperson