IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
171633
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI, COGGS, STAMPER, AND JOHNSON
Title
Resolution relating to work rules and policies for City employees that prohibit or restrict whistleblowing.
Analysis
This resolution directs all City departments to submit current copies of their work rules and policies to the Department of Employee Relations within 7 days of the effective date of this resolution. The Department of Employee Relations is directed to review these work rules and policies, removing all provisions that either prohibit or restrict whistleblowing. The Department of Employee relations is further directed to certify to the Common Council within 30 days of the effective date of this resolution that all City work rules and policies prohibiting or restricting whistleblowing have been removed and report the removed provisions to the Common Council.
Body
Whereas, Recent investigations of the Milwaukee Health Department revealed a department-wide policy that prohibited employees from contacting elected officials without prior consent from their supervisors; and
Whereas, Policies of this type can intimidate and silence whistleblowers -- individuals aware of fraud, waste, abuse or threats to the public health, safety, and welfare -- from coming forward; and
Whereas, It is in the public interest to ensure that rules of this type are not permitted at any City agency; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the CIty of Milwaukee, that all CIty departments are directed to supply a copy of their current work rules and policies to the Department of Employee Relations no more than 7 days after February 6, 2018; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Employee Relations is directed to review these work rules and policies and remove all provisions that prohibit or restrict whistleblowing, commonly defined as exposing any kind of information or activity that is wasteful, fraudulent, unethical, or illegal; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Employee Relations is directed to report to the Common Council no more than 30 days after [City Clerk to insert date] certifying that all provisions prohibiting or restricting whistleblowing have been removed from City work rules and policies and identifying those provisions removed; and, be it
Further Resolved, That no provision of this resolution shall be taken to contravene s. 350-211 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances or any provision of the rules of the Milwaukee City Service Commission.
Requestor
Drafter
James R. Owczarski
February 2, 2018