Whistle-Blower Policy

The Florida Association of Insurance Agents has adopted a whistle-blower policy that provides the following:

• Encouragement for staff and volunteers to report credible information on illegal practices or serious violations of adopted polices or the Code of Ethics of the Association.
• Specifies how the Association will protect the person from retaliation.
• Identifies where and how such information can be reported.

Encouragement of reporting. The Association encourages complaints, reports or inquiries about illegal practices or serious violations of the Association's policies or Code of Ethics, including illegal or improper conduct by the Association itself, by its leadership, or by others on its behalf. Appropriate subjects that arise under this policy would include financial improprieties, accounting or audit matters, ethical violations, or other similar illegal or improper practices or policies. Other subjects on which the Association has existing methods to report complaints, such as allegations of discrimination or harassment, should be addressed as described under the personnel manual.

Protection from retaliation. The Association prohibits retaliation by or on behalf of the Association against staff or volunteers for making good faith complaints, reports or inquires under this policy or for participating in a review or investigation under this policy. This protection extends to those whose allegations are made in good faith but prove to be mistaken. The Association reserves the right to discipline persons who make bad faith, knowingly false, or provoking complaints or inquiries, or who otherwise abuse this policy.

Where and how to report. Complaints, reports or inquires may be made under this policy on a confidential or anonymous basis. Communication should describe in detail the specific facts demonstrating the basis for the complaint, report or inquiry. Reports can be filed online or through an e-mail to the Audit Committee. The Association will conduct a prompt, discreet, and objective review. Staff or volunteers must recognize that the Association may be unable to fully evaluate a vague or general complaint, report or inquiry that is made anonymously.