Whistleblower Policy

1. Purpose

1.1The institution expects its directors, officers, employees and members to observe high standards of conduct. This policy gives anyone who suspects a serious concern a safe way to raise it, and protects them from retaliation for doing so.

2. What to report

• Fraud, theft, or misuse of the institution's funds or property
• Questionable accounting, financial reporting or internal controls
• Violations of law, including tax-exemption requirements
• Research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification or plagiarism
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest, or funders influencing conclusions
• Harassment, discrimination, or threats to anyone's safety
• Any attempt to conceal the above

3. How to report

3.1Reports may be made to the Executive Director or the Chairman, or in writing to contact@perrininstitution.org marked 'Confidential: whistleblower'. If a report concerns one of those officers, it should be sent to another director, whose contact the institution will provide on request. Reports may be made anonymously, though anonymity can limit the institution's ability to investigate.

4. How reports are handled

4.1Every report is acknowledged, where the reporter can be contacted, and is reviewed promptly by someone with no involvement in the matter. Where warranted, the institution investigates, takes corrective action, and informs the reporter of the outcome as far as confidentiality allows. The board is informed of all reports that concern financial matters or officers.

5. Confidentiality

5.1The reporter's identity is kept confidential to the extent consistent with a fair investigation and the law.

6. No retaliation

6.1No one who makes a report in good faith will suffer harassment, retaliation, or adverse consequences to their employment, membership or relationship with the institution. Anyone who retaliates against a reporter is subject to disciplinary action. A report made in good faith is protected even if it turns out to be mistaken; a report known to be false is not.

7. Reporting outside the institution

7.1Nothing in this policy prevents anyone from reporting a concern to a regulator, law enforcement, or other public authority.