Retaliation

Metropolitan will not retaliate, nor will it tolerate retaliation, against those who, in good faith, report suspected ethics violations or who participate in investigations of suspected ethics violations. An act of retaliation should be reported immediately to the Ethics Office, as retaliation is a violation of the Ethics policy.

Any person who retaliates toward those who bring a matter of concern to the Ethics Office or towards those who participate in an investigation, is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. In addition, those who bring matters to the Ethics Office are protected through the state Whistleblower Protection Act.

Metropolitan will not tolerate malicious complaints. Expressions of concerns require staff time and attention regardless of the appropriateness of the concern. Expressions of concern made frivolously, in bad faith or without factual basis may constitute defamation and may be actionable by the respondent. Such complaints may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Lodging a malicious concern is, in itself, a kind of unethical behavior. However, people expressing concern are not required to be certain. Mistaken concerns are not malicious.