Spokane Municipal Code

Title 01 General Provisions

Chapter 01.04C Whistleblower Protection

Section 01.04C.030 Definitions

1. 1. "Emergency" means a circumstance that if not immediately changed may cause damage to persons or property.

1. 2. "Improper governmental action" means any action by a local government officer or employee:

1. 1. 1. that is undertaken in the performance of the officer's or employee's official duties, whether or not within the scope of the employee's employment, and

1. 1. 2. that is in violation of any federal, state or local law or rule, is an abuse of authority, is of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety or is a gross waste of public funds. The phrase does not include any personnel or labor actions.

1. 3. "Retaliatory action" means:

1. any adverse change in an employee's employment status or the terms and conditions of employment including denial of adequate staff to perform duties, frequent staff changes, frequent and undesirable office changes, refusal to assign meaningful work, unwarranted and unsubstantiated letters of reprimand or unsatisfactory performance evaluations, demotion, transfer, reassignment, reduction in pay, denial of promotion, suspension, dismissal, or any other disciplinary action; or

2. hostile actions by another employee towards the employee that were encouraged by a supervisor or senior manager or official.

Date Passed: Monday, July 8, 2024

Effective Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

ORD C36533 Section 1