Whistleblower Policy

The National Institute for the Psychotherapies Professional Association (“NIPPA”) requires directors, officers, volunteers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees, volunteers and representatives of NIPPA we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees, volunteers and others to raise serious concerns internally so that NIPPA can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions. It is the responsibility of all board members, officers, employees and volunteers to report concerns about suspected violations of ethics, law or regulations that govern NIPPA’s operations.

It is contrary to the values of NIPPA for anyone to retaliate against any board member, officer, employee or volunteer who in good faith reports an ethics violation, or a suspected violation of law, such as a complaint of discrimination, or suspected fraud, or suspected violation of any regulation governing the operations of NIPPA. Anyone who retaliates against a person who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment, removal from the Board or expulsion from the organization.

NIPPA has an open-door policy and suggests that employees or others share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with their supervisor or the NIPPA President. If you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or the NIPPA President, or you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s or the President’s response, you are encouraged to speak with NIPPA’s Vice President, NIPPA’s Secretary, or any board member with whom you are comfortable. Supervisors and managers are required to report complaints or concerns about suspected ethical and legal violations in writing to the NIPPA President, who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints. Employees with concerns or complaints may also submit their concerns in writing directly to their supervisor or to the board of directors at large.

The NIPPA President is responsible for ensuring that all complaints about unethical or illegal conduct are investigated and resolved. The President will advise the Board of Directors of all complaints and their resolution and will report at least annually to the Treasurer on compliance activity relating to accounting or alleged financial improprieties.

NIPPA’s President shall immediately notify the Treasurer and the Board of Directors of any concerns or complaints regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls or auditing and work with the committee until the matter is resolved.

Anyone filing a written complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.

NIPPA’s President will notify the person who submitted a complaint and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.

Policy approved by the Board of Directors on 2/4/2021