§ 2.28.050. Whistleblower policy.

A.

Purpose. San Benito County Water District's policy regarding whistleblowers is consistent with the public policy outlined by the State of California as written by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement as follows:

B.

General. It is the policy of the State of California to encourage employees to notify an appropriate government or law enforcement agency when they have reason to believe their employer is violating a state or federal statute, or violating or not complying with a state or federal rule or regulation.

C.

Those Protected. Pursuant to California Labor Code 1102.5, employees are the protected class of individuals. "Employee" means any person employed by an employer, private or public, including, but not limited to, individuals employed by the state or any subdivision thereof, any county, city, city and county, including any charter city or county, and any school district, community college district, municipal or public corporation, political subdivision, or the University of California. [California Labor Code Section 1106]

D.

Whistleblower Defined. A "whistleblower" is an employee who discloses information to a government or law enforcement agency where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses:

1.

A violation of a state or federal statute,

2.

A violation or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation, or

3.

With reference to employee safety or health, unsafe working conditions or work practices in the employee's employment or place of employment.

E.

Protections Afforded to Whistleblowers. An employer may not make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an employee from being a whistleblower.

1.

An employer may not retaliate against an employee who is a whistleblower.

2.

An employer may not retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of state or federal statute, or a violation or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation.

3.

An employer may not retaliate against an employee for having exercised his or her rights as a whistleblower in any former employment.

4.

Under Labor Code Section 98.6, if an employer retaliates against a whistleblower, the employer may be required to reinstate the employee's employment and work benefits, pay lost wages, and take other steps necessary to comply with the law.

F.

Reporting Improper Acts. If an employee has information regarding possible violations of state or federal statutes, rules, or regulations, or violations of fiduciary responsibility by a corporation or limited liability company to its shareholders, investors, or employees, call the California State Attorney General's Whistleblower Hotline at 1-800-952-5225. The Attorney General will refer your call to the appropriate government authority for review and possible investigation.

(Res. No. 2009-18, §§ 1—2.5, 10-28-2009)