Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide all members of the Metropolitan Council, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, the Archdiocesan Finance Council, committee members, and all staff, whether paid or volunteer, of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada with guidelines for the reporting of unethical or illegal behavior by Council members, committee members, staff, employees, volunteers, vendors, professional service providers, affiliated organizations or any other person or entity having a relationship with the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada.

Policy

The Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada is committed to lawful and ethical behavior in all of its activities and requires its Council members, committee members, employees, clergy, volunteers, and any other person or entity having a relationship with the Archdiocese to conduct themselves in a manner that complies with all applicable laws and regulations., both ecclesiastical and civil. At any time an individual has a concern regarding the propriety or legality of any action contemplated to be taken or that has been taken by the Archdiocese; its Council members, committee members, employees, clergy, volunteers, and any other person or entity having a relationship with the Archdiocese; or any other person or persons having a relationship with the Archdiocese, or believes that action needs to be taken for the Archdiocese to be in compliance with both canon and civil law or appropriate ethical standards, the person should promptly advise the Metropolitan, Chief Operating Officer, Chancellor, Vicar General, the President of the Metropolitan Council, the President of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, or the President of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, as may be appropriate to the circumstances.

If the administration of the Church is unresponsive, if the complainant believes the administration will be unresponsive, or if the administration of the Church is itself the subject of concern, the individual should contact the Archdiocese Independent Commission for Investigations, Compliance, and Ethical Standards to report his or her concerns. Every effort shall be made to immediately investigate a report made. Because of the need to investigate the report, correct the problem, or prevent future problems, the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada cannot, however, promise complete confidentiality.

No Archdiocesan employee, staff member, volunteer, clergyman, or member will be discharged, threatened, discriminated or retaliated against in any manner for reporting, in good faith, what he or she perceives to be wrongdoing, violations of canon and/or civil law, or unethical conduct.

An employee is protected from retaliation only if the employee brings the alleged unlawful activity, policy, or practice to the attention of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada and provides the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada with a reasonable opportunity to investigate and correct the alleged unlawful or unethical activity or behavior.

The protection described below is only available to employees that comply with this requirement.

The Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada will not retaliate against an employee who, in good faith, has made a protest or raised a complaint against some practice of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada, or of another individual or entity with whom the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada has a business relationship, on the basis of a reasonable belief that the practice is in violation of law, or a clear mandate of public policy.

The Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada will not retaliate against employees who disclose or threaten to disclose to a supervisor or a public body, any activity, policy, or practice of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada that the employee reasonably believes is in violation of a law, or a rule, or regulation mandated pursuant to law or is in violation of a clear mandate of public policy concerning the health, safety, welfare, or protection of the environment.

Excepted from this policy are all complaints that challenge, oppose, or otherwise call into question the Church's practices, policies, and procedures that conform with the Divine Law and the Moral Absolutes given to men by God Himself, and the perennial teachings of the Church These include any practices, policies, and procedures of the Archdiocese that deal with and relate to the Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Marriage, and Holy Orders, and the Church's teachings including, but not limited to, homosexuality, same-sex unions, transgenderism, cohabitation without marriage, abortion, euthanasia, and medically-assisted suicide. All employees and volunteers of the Archdiocese, its parishes and missions, and all organizations, institutions, agencies, and other entities controlled either directly or indirectly by the Archdiocese are taken into service with full knowledge and understanding that they must always uphold the teachings of the Church. This is a prerequisite and non-negotiable condition for employment and volunteer service with the Archdiocese, its parishes and missions, and all organizations, institutions, agencies, and other entities controlled either directly or indirectly by the Archdiocese, which is evidenced and made manifest by a signed declaration prior to beginning employment or volunteer service.

My signature below indicates my receipt and understanding of this policy. I also verify that I have been provided with an opportunity to ask questions about the policy and have received answers sufficient to cause me to affix my signature hereto.

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Employee/Volunteer Signature

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