Public Interest Disclosure Act
The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) provides a legally protected way for current and former BC public sector employees to report serious or systemic issues of wrongdoing.
Complaints can be made to their supervisor, a designated officer or directly to the ombudsperson.
How to Report
There are several ways to report if you are an employee or a former employee of an organization covered under PIDA. You can report internally or externally—it is your choice. The disclosure must be submitted in writing.
Reporting Internally
You can report wrongdoing to your supervisor or the designated officer. If reported internally, your report will be dealt with within the organization and will not be sent to the ombudsperson.
Complete this form - 6050 Public Interest Disclosure Form - and send it to your supervisor or the designated officer.
Who Can Report?
Current and former employees of Selkirk College can report wrongdoings.
How Are You Protected?
- You can share confidential information
- Your identity is kept confidential
- You are protected from reprisal
What to Expect
At Selkirk College, PIDA processing adheres to the following timeline:
- Acknowledgement of receiving a disclosure
- Review and assessment if an investigation is required
- Conducting an investigation
- Report and communication
Support Resources for Employees
At Selkirk College, employees are encouraged to speak with their supervisors and designated officers about specific questions relating to making a disclosure.
Support Resources for Supervisors
Supervisors are a point of contact for employees who wish to seek advice or report wrongdoing. Supervisors are responsible for:
- Familiarizing themselves with the law to best advise employees on options
- Protecting the confidentiality of employees
- Referring reports to the designated officer
- Online Training and Webinars offered through the Office of the Ombudsperson
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered wrongdoing?
- A serious act or failure to act that, if proven, would constitute an offence under an enactment of British Columbia or Canada.
Some factors which indicate that the matter is “serious” include whether the action:- Is deliberate
- Is done by a person with a high level of seniority or responsibility
- Is a significant departure from accepted standards of conduct
- Can/will result in significant loss of trust in the public organization
- An act or failure to act that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons, or to the environment, other than a danger that is inherent in the performance of an employee’s duties or functions.
- A serious misuse of public fund or public assets.
- Gross or systemic mismanagement.
- Directing or counselling a person to commit any of the above.