Workplace Concerns Policy
LAST UPDATED MAY 2023
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POLICY OVERVIEW
If an employee communicates a workplace concern to a Banister Advisors, LLC (“Banister”) team member while receiving Lifespan Navigation® services benefits and/or consulting support (collectively, “Services”), the Banister team member will use reasonable efforts to follow the guidelines detailed in the Banister Staff Guidelines for Responding to Workplace Concerns (“Response Guidelines”).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Banister reserves the right to take any steps that it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion in the event an employee communicates a workplace concern to a Banister team member.
As a reminder, Banister’s services are not intended for those experiencing any acute physical or mental health crises. Any employee experiencing a crisis should call 911 or their area’s crisis line or visit an Emergency Department. Any reporting by Banister to appropriate local authorities may require the disclosure of private information to emergency services and other first responders (e.g., sharing an employee’s home address).
The distinction of “at work concerns” versus “outside of work concerns” described within the Response Guidelines is based on whether the concern has any direct connection to the employee’s workplace, work responsibilities, and/or tools used to do their job.
BANISTER STAFF GUIDELINES
FOR RESPONDING TO WORKPLACE CONCERNS
CATEGORY OF DISCLOSED CONCERN - LEVEL ONE
General Employee Concerns: Any employee complaint or concern that is not related to mandatory reporting laws protecting children or vulnerable adults, and that does not involve violence or unwanted touching by an employee or colleague.
For example, employee discloses or gives reason to believe that:
· someone at work has been treated differently or ‘discriminated against’ based on their membership in a protected class under Washington State law;
· there are labor law violations; or,
· there is a non-violent conflict between colleagues.
Banister response:
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To explain to the employee that Banister does not facilitate any kind of workplace conflict resolution and/or resolution of misconduct among employees, and;
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To encourage the employee to follow the employer’s prescribed reporting process for general employee concerns and grievances (i.e., as documented in an official employee handbook or communicated by leadership) and/or to communicate their concern directly to any supervising employee.
CATEGORY OF DISCLOSED CONCERN - LEVEL TWO
Concerns Regarding Workplace Violence or Unwanted Touching: Employee discloses or gives reason to believe that:
· violence at work has occurred or was threatened; or,
· any unwanted touching at work has occurred or was threatened.
Banister response:
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To explain to the employee that Banister does not facilitate workplace conflict resolution and/or misconduct claims among employees;
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To encourage the employee to follow the employer’s prescribed reporting process for general employee concerns and grievances (i.e., as documented in an official Employee Handbook or communicated by leadership) and/or to communicate their concern directly to any supervising employee, and;
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To inform the employee that Banister will report the disclosure directly to the employer’s Designated Reporting Contact(s) within 1 day.
CATEGORY OF DISCLOSED CONCERN - LEVEL THREE
Concerns Regarding Harm Outside of Work*: Employee discloses or gives reason to believe that, outside of work:
· a child, a vulnerable adult, or an animal is being abused; or,
· there are threats of harm to themselves or others (including acute suicidal or homicidal ideation).
Banister response:
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To immediately report either prior or imminent critical incidents or threats of harm to the appropriate local authorities (e.g., via 911)
* Banister will notify the employer of otherwise private employee concerns and information outside of work only if employer involvement is needed in a safety response for an employee crisis (e.g., if work-related items may be used to cause harm, or if employee discloses intent to return to work during an active crisis.)
CATEGORY OF DISCLOSED CONCERN - LEVEL FOUR
Concerns Regarding Harm While at Work: Employee discloses or gives reason to believe that, while at work:
· a child, a vulnerable adult, or an animal has been abused; or,
· there are threats of harm to themselves or others (including acute suicidal or homicidal ideation).
Banister response:
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To first report either prior or imminent critical incidents or threats of harm to the appropriate local authorities (e.g., via 911), and;
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To then immediately notify both the employer’s Designated Reporting Contact and Banister leadership.