Safely Report Wrongdoing and Reprisal

Learn how to confidentially disclose suspected wrongdoing, understand your protections and access support through TRU's designated officers.

Speaking up safely at TRU

TRU is committed to supporting and protecting individuals who disclose wrongdoing.

At TRU, there are two recent additions to the policies that provide support and protection for those who disclose wrongdoing: Whistleblower (BRD 18-0) and Public Interest Disclosure (BRD 29-0) .

The latter is part of TRU's commitment to adhering to B.C.'s Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA), which applies to public sector organizations, including post-secondary institutions. The two policies ensure support for members of the TRU community and allow for streamlined reporting when disclosures take place.

Ready to report?

Access the wrongdoing disclosure form and learn how to submit your concern.

Report wrongdoing

The Public Interest Disclosure Act

The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) is B.C. legislation aimed at encouraging and facilitating the disclosure of serious or systematic wrongdoing within public sector organizations, including universities.

The Act, which applies to current and former employees and Board members, also protects individuals by prohibiting workplace reprisals against those who seek advice about wrongdoing, report wrongdoing or participate in an investigation of wrongdoing.

More information

Read TRU's Public Interest Disclosure (BRD 29-0) policy .
Read B.C.'s Public Interest Disclosure Act .
Learn about PIDA through the Office of the B.C. Ombudsperson and take the one-hour Speaking Up Safely course.

Whistleblower

TRU's Whistleblower policy encourages all members of the university community to responsibly report wrongdoing, without fear of retaliation, to one of TRU's designated officers—the Associate Vice-President, People and Culture or the Director, Internal Audit.

The policy provides procedures for reporting wrongdoing and outlines the actions required of the university in response to a disclosure. It also protects individuals who disclose wrongdoing by prohibiting retaliation or reprisal against them.

What is wrongdoing?

Under TRU's Whistleblower and Public Interest Disclosure policies, wrongdoing is defined as:

A serious act or omission that, if proven, would constitute an offence under an enactment of British Columbia or Canada.
An act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons, or to the environment, other than a danger inherent in the performance of an employee's duties or functions.
A serious misuse of public funds or public assets.
Gross or systemic mismanagement, including breaches of the university's policies and associated regulations.
Knowingly directing or counselling a person to commit any act or omission described above.

Examples that meet the definition of wrongdoing

Taking bribes
Ignoring workplace violence or threats
Hiring only friends and family members
Awarding contracts for personal or political reasons
A systematic culture of sexism
Rampant bullying and harassment
Lack of action on the abuse of vulnerable people
Repeated or large-scale theft of university property
Ignoring health and safety breaches
Organized financial fraud
Using university funds for personal items, meals and travel
Excessive spending on meals and travel
Using university resources for private businesses
Using a work vehicle for a private business
Withholding services to coerce others
Practices that cause harm to animals repeatedly
Negligence causing major harm

Reporting wrongdoing

All members of the TRU community can make an internal, confidential disclosure to TRU's designated officers.

This includes faculty, staff, students, Board members, contractors, volunteers and agents of the university. Disclosures can be submitted using the internal disclosure form.

Report wrongdoing

External reporting

TRU employees, former employees or Board members can choose to report wrongdoing or reprisal externally to the B.C. Ombudsperson .

Contact and resources

Contact TRU's designated officers

TRU's designated officers are:

Alma Klarich, Director, Internal Audit
Shayne Olsen, Associate Vice-President, People and Culture

Confidential guidance and support

To contact a designated officer for guidance or support, email desigofficers@tru.ca . This email is strictly confidential and only accessible by the designated officers.

Email designated officers

Additional resources

If you are an employee of TRU, you can seek advice from your supervisor or union.
If you are a student, you can refer to resources provided through Student Services or the TRU Students' Union .
Additional information about PIDA is available on the Ombudsperson of British Columbia website .

Additional policies at TRU

Other established TRU policies provide guidance on the disclosure of various forms of wrongdoing, including:

If you have questions about these policies, contact TRU's designated officers at desigofficers@tru.ca .

Alternatively, the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Office provides reporting options and support resources for TRU community members who have experienced sexualized or gender-based violence.

Student Affairs Case Managers provide reporting options and support resources for students who have experienced harassment, discrimination or misconduct from a TRU community member.

Wrongdoing disclosure form

Your disclosure will be treated with the strictest confidence.

To submit a disclosure, download the form, complete all applicable sections and email the completed form to desigofficers@tru.ca .

Once your form has been received, TRU's designated officer(s) will follow up with you directly to gather additional details regarding the alleged wrongdoing and any relevant background information.

If you would prefer to make a disclosure anonymously, please use an email account that does not use your name. However, there may be cases where the designated officers are unable to fully investigate an issue when a disclosure has been made anonymously.

Download wrongdoing disclosure form

Privacy notice

This information is collected by Thompson Rivers University under s.26(a) and (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to assess and investigate allegations of wrongdoing made under the TRU Public Interest Disclosure Policy or TRU Whistleblower Policy. If you have questions about the collection of personal information, please email the TRU designated officers' confidential email desigofficers@tru.ca .