City Council

(27) 26-1199 COMMUNICATION FROM CHAIR, PERSONNEL AND HIRING COMMITTEE relative to the City’s existing whistleblower and anti- retaliation policies and procedures. Recommendations for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Rodriguez – Soto-Martinez): 1. INSTRUCT the Personnel Department, with the assistance of the City Attorney, and other relevant Departments, to report on the City’s existing whistleblower and anti-retaliation policies and procedures, including: a. The process for employees to report misconduct and the confidentiality or anonymity protections available. b. Protections against retaliation, including how complaints are investigated and what remedies are available. c. Safeguards to ensure performance evaluations, discipline, assignments, promotions, and other employment decisions are not retaliatory. d. Options for independent review of adverse employment actions involving employees who have made protected disclosures. e. Training and guidance provided to employees and supervisors regarding whistleblower protections. f. Lawful options for employees to document and preserve evidence of misconduct or retaliation, including audio or other recordings. 2. INSTRUCT the Personnel Department, with the assistance of the City Attorney, to report with recommendations for strengthening the City's whistleblower protections, including any proposed policies, procedures, oversight mechanisms, or legislative changes necessary to provide employees with meaningful safeguards against retaliation and reduce potential liability to the City. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.