SCOPE: Habitat for Humanity of Florida is committed to the highest standards of ethical, moral and legal conduct. Habitat is further dedicated to acting in good faith with directors, officers, employees, contractors or volunteers who raise concerns regarding unlawful activity, violations of Habitat policies, or other improper conduct of any board member, officer, employee, contractor or volunteer of Habitat.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to:

• Provide a mechanism for members of the board of directors, officers, employees, interns and AmeriCorps members of, and contractors and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity entities to raise good faith concerns regarding suspected misconduct or violations of law or Habitat for Humanity

• Facilitate cooperation in any internal or governmental investigation or inquiry regarding potential misconduct or violations of law or Habitat for Humanity policy

• Protect individuals – including their anonymity and safety – who take such action from retaliation or any threat of retaliation by any employee or agent of Habitat for Humanity of Florida; and

• Promote a culture of accountability and transparency (i.e., “if you see something, say something”).

  • Remember – If you see something, say something.

EXPECTATIONS FOR REPORTING:

Defining Misconduct: “Misconduct” is any activity that violates the Habitat for Humanity Ethics Covenant or other applicable policies, standards, laws or regulations.

1. Members of the board of directors, officers, employees, interns, AmeriCorps members, contractors and volunteers of Habitat for Humanity of Florida are encouraged and expected to be alert to potential misconduct or suspected violations of the law or Habitat for Humanity policy, to report such suspected violations, and to provide truthful information in connection with any official inquiry or investigation of alleged violations.

2. Any officer, employee, contractor, intern, AmeriCorps member or volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Florida who has knowledge or reasonable suspicion of the occurrence of misconduct, unlawful activity or a violation of Habitat for Humanity policy must immediately notify his or her direct supervisor or use the anonymous notification process set forth in Section A.3 of this policy.

3. If the individual has reason to believe that his or her direct supervisor may be involved in the misconduct, unlawful activity, or violation of Habitat for Humanity policy, he or she must immediately notify [Roxanne Young – Executive Director – 713.899.7247] or use the anonymous notification process set forth in Section A.4 of this policy.

4. If for any reason the individual cannot notify [Roxanne Young] or follow the process for anonymous notification, he or she must immediately notify a member of Habitat for Humanity of Florida senior management. Any board member who has knowledge of or suspects the occurrence of improper conduct, unlawful activity or a violation of Habitat for Humanity policy must notify [Roxanne Young] or use the anonymous notification process set forth in Section A.3 of this policy.

5. Anonymous reports regarding suspected misconduct, violations of law or Habitat for Humanity policy may also be made to the Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line, or HEAL, at heal.habitat.org. MyHabitat’s Knowledge Center sets forth factors to assist individuals unsure about how or to what channels to report misconduct or violations of law or Habitat for Humanity policy. See Raising concerns (sharepoint.com).

6. Significant or egregious failure to report misconduct, violations of the law, or Habitat for Humanity policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment. This will be in Habitat for Humanity of Florida's judgment based on the length of time and extent of knowledge, and the severity of the misconduct or violation.

Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line: Habitat’s confidential and anonymous reporting hotline is operated by a third-party service provider and is available for any Habitat representative to report concerns: heal.habitat.org.

EXPECTATIONS OF NON-RETALIATION:

1. Habitat for Humanity of Florida expressly prohibits any form of retaliation, including harassment, intimidation, adverse employment actions, or any other form of retaliation, against members of the board of directors, officers, employees and contractors of or volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Florida who, in good faith, raise concerns of misconduct or suspected violations of law, cooperate in inquiries and investigations, or identify potential violations of Habitat for Humanity policies.

2. Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of retaliation as a result of reporting a suspected violation of law or policy or for cooperating in an inquiry or investigation should immediately report such incident to his or her direct supervisor, [Insert Name or Department]. Supervisors, managers and other staff members who receive complaints of retaliation must immediately inform [Roxanne Young].

3. Any person who engages in retaliation prohibited by this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

EXPECTATIONS OF INVESTIGATION:

1. Reports of misconduct, suspected violations of law or policy, and retaliation will be investigated promptly by [Roxanne Young] in a manner intended to protect confidentiality.