Termination and Confidentiality Policies

Feedback 

We encourage feedback at every step of the volunteer process. If you have feedback for the Rescue, we are open to any suggestions about how to improve our processes, complaints, etc. You can talk to any staff member in person, or email  volunteer@seattleareafelinerescue.org. 

Volunteer Program staff will send out an annual survey for feedback at the beginning of each year. 

Conflict Resolution and Grievance Procedures 

• If a volunteer has a grievance with a staff member, or another volunteer, they will talk to them first to try to sort out the problem informally. 

• If this is not appropriate to the situation, the person with the grievance may bring it to the attention of the Volunteer Manager (or the Operations Director if the  grievance is with the Volunteer Manager). 

• The Volunteer Manager will investigate the problem and discuss it with the staff  member or volunteer. The Volunteer Manager will determine what action, if any, to  take. When possible, an answer will be given within one week of the matter being  raised. If the staff member or volunteer agrees to the proposal made, this will be the  end of the matter.

• If the staff member or volunteer involved does not agree, or if the Volunteer Manager is unable to deal with the matter, then the issue will be referred to the Operations  Director. Whenever possible any referral will take place within one week of the  original complaint. The decision of the Operations Director is final. 

Termination Policy 

SAFe Rescue reserves the right to terminate volunteers immediately, if they do not follow volunteer protocols, or if they endanger the safety and health of our animals, or other volunteers or staff, in any way. If a volunteer is found to be repeatedly breaking a protocol, the Volunteer Manager may choose to first issue a written warning and discuss the matter with the  volunteer. If after the written warning the volunteer continues with the inappropriate behavior, the volunteer may be terminated. 

Volunteers may also be terminated for the following reasons: 

• Violation our attendance policy may result in termination at the discretion of rescue staff

• Being Unsafe 

  • • Willful violation of any SAFe Rescue policy or procedure, or any deliberate action that is extreme in nature and is obviously detrimental to SAFe Rescue. 

    • Willful violation of security or safety policies or failure to observe SAFe Rescue safety  policies; tampering with any SAFe Rescue equipment or safety equipment. 

    • Negligence or any careless action, which endangers the life or safety of another person or SAFe Rescue animal. 

    • Unauthorized possession of firearms, weapons or explosives on SAFe Rescue property,  or while on duty. 

    • Engaging in criminal conduct or acts of violence, or making threats of violence toward anyone on SAFe Rescue property, horseplay or provoking a fight on SAFe Rescue  property, or negligent damage of SAFe Rescue property. 

• Being Under the Influence 

  • • Possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages or illegal substances within the facility, or while on duty at any SAFe Rescue event. 

• Disrespecting Volunteers or Staff 

  • • Insubordination or refusing to obey instructions issued by the Volunteer Manager or supervising staff. 

    • Theft of SAFe Rescue property or the property of fellow volunteers; unauthorized  possession or removal of SAFe Rescue property, including documents from the  premises, without prior permission from management; unauthorized use of SAFe  Rescue equipment or property for personal reasons. 

    • Dishonesty; willful falsification or misrepresentation on your application for  volunteering or other volunteer records; alteration of SAFe Rescue records or other  documents. 

    • Malicious gossip and/or spreading rumors; engaging in behavior designed to create  discord and lack of harmony; interfering with another volunteer on the job; willfully  restricting volunteer output or encouraging others to do the same. 

    • Immoral conduct or indecency on SAFe Rescue property. 

    • Derogatory language. 

Discrimination Policy

SAFe Rescue prohibits discrimination against its employees, volunteers, applicants for employment, and customers or other business associates on the basis of a person's race, religion, creed, color, sex, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, military or veteran status, any other characteristic protected by federal and applicable state laws. Specifically, with regard to its employees and job applicants, SAFe Rescue does not tolerate discrimination or discriminatory language on the basis of the foregoing characteristics with respect to the terms and conditions of employment.

Confidentiality Policy 

Respecting the privacy of our clients, donors, members, staff, volunteers and of SAFe Rescue itself is a basic  value of SAFe Rescue. Personal and financial information is confidential and should not be disclosed or  discussed with anyone without permission or authorization. Care shall also be taken to ensure that  unauthorized individuals do not overhear any discussion of confidential information and that documents  containing confidential information are not left in the open or inadvertently shared. Volunteers of SAFe  Rescue may be exposed to information which is confidential and/or privileged and proprietary in nature. It is  the policy of SAFe Rescue that such information must be kept confidential both during and after volunteer  service. Volunteers are expected to return materials containing privileged or confidential information at the  time of expiration of service. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged information is a serious  violation of this policy and will subject the person(s) who made the unauthorized disclosure to appropriate  discipline, including removal or dismissal as a volunteer.