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HOW TO BLOW THE WHISTLE ON SUSPECTED IMPROPER ACTIVITIES

The University of California wants you to report improper activities, and will protect you from retaliation for whistleblowing.

What You Can Report (Protected Disclosure)

According to California Government Code Section 8547.2, a protected disclosure is: “Any good faith communication that discloses or demonstrates an intention to disclose information that may evidence (1) an improper governmental activity or (2) any condition that may significantly threaten the health or safety of employees or the public if the disclosure or intention to disclose was made for the purpose of remedying that condition.”

Improper Governmental Activities

According to California Government Code Section 8547.2, an improper governmental activity is: “Any activity by a state agency or by an employee that is undertaken in the performance of the employee’s official duties, whether or not that action is within the scope of his or her employment, and that (1) is in violation of any state or federal law or regulation, including, but not limited to, corruption, malfeasance, bribery, theft of government property, fraudulent claims, fraud, coercion, conversion, malicious prosecution, misuse of government property, or willful omission to perform duty, or (2) is economically wasteful, or involves gross misconduct, incompetency, or inefficiency.”

How to Report

• In writing or orally;
• With as much specific factual information possible (report what you know, but don’t investigate – leave that to the experts!);
• Anonymously, if preferred.

Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible

Where to Report

You may make a report to your supervisor, to any other appropriate administrator within your unit. Reports may also be made to the Universitywide Whistleblower Hotline, 1-800-403-4744, which will forward your report directly to the UCSC Locally Designated Official for whistleblower matters. (The hotline is independently operated to help ensure confidentiality.) Other offices to which Whistleblower reports can be made are as follows (area code for each is 831):

• Staff Human Resources (459-2017);
• Academic Human Resources (459-4300);
• Internal Audit Office (459-2241);
• Title IX Office (Sexual Harassment) (459-2462);
• EEO/AA Office (Discrimination) (459 2349); or
• UCSC Police Department (Crimes) (459 2231)

Protection from Retaliation

If you believe you have been retaliated against for whistleblowing, you may file a complaint with any of the offices listed above.

In addition to the above procedures, you have the option of reporting improper activities to the State Auditor whistleblower hotline at 1-800-952-5665, or to the California Attorney General hotline at 1 800 952-5225.