ANTIDISCRIMINATION POLICY

PARTNERS INDIA considers human relationships sacred and the human body to be holy. Therefore, it seeks to create a safe, grace-filled environment for all persons where human worth and relationships are honored and respected. PARTNERS INDIA's policy is to provide all the people we serve, employees and volunteers, with an environment free of sexual harassment and other forms of harassment and its interference with their comfort or performance in the workplace. Any behavior that constitutes sexual harassment or other discriminatory harassment is a violation of human dignity and rights and will not be tolerated.

PARTNERS INDIA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, or marital status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are deeply committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff members, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and the people we serve, ensuring that everyone feels accepted and respected.

PARTNERS INDIA is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to prevent discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, or disability.

WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY

PARTNERS INDIA is committed to operating in furtherance of its tax-exempt purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those concerning accounting and auditing, and prohibits fraudulent practices by any of its board members, officers, employees, or volunteers.  This policy outlines a procedure for employees to report actions that an employee reasonably believes violates a law, or regulation or that constitutes fraudulent accounting or other practices.  This policy applies to any matter which is related to PARTNERS INDIA’s business and does not relate to private acts of an individual not connected to the business of PARTNERS INDIA. 

If an employee has a reasonable belief that an employee or PARTNERS INDIA has engaged in any action that violates any applicable law, or regulation, including those concerning accounting and auditing, or constitutes a fraudulent practice, the employee is expected to immediately report such information to the Executive Director.  If the employee does not feel comfortable reporting the information to the Executive Director, he or she is expected to report the information to the Board of Directors.

All reports will be followed up promptly, and an investigation conducted.  In conducting its investigations, PARTNERS INDIA will strive to keep the identity of the complaining individual as confidential as possible, while conducting an adequate review and investigation.  

PARTNERS INDIA will not retaliate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because that employee:  (a) reports to a supervisor, to the executive director, the Board of Directors or to a federal, state or local agency what the employee believes in good faith to be a violation of the law; or (b) participates in good faith in any resulting investigation or proceeding, or (c) exercises his or her rights under any state or federal law(s) or regulation(s) to pursue a claim or take legal action to protect the employee’s rights.

PARTNERS INDIA may take disciplinary action (up to and including termination) against an employee who in management’s assessment has engaged in retaliatory conduct in violation of this policy.

[In addition, PARTNERS INDIA will not, with the intent to retaliate, take any action harmful to any employee who has provided to law enforcement personnel or a court truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission by PARTNERS INDIA or any of its employees of a violation of any applicable law or regulation.]

Supervisors will be trained on this policy and PARTNERS INDIA’S prohibition against retaliation in accordance with this policy.