Red-Flag or Inappropriate Behaviors and/or Policy Violations

YMCA Of Central Ohio has zero-tolerance for abuse. It is imperative that every employee or volunteer actively participates in the protection of children. In the event that employees or volunteers observe red-flag or inappropriate behaviors and/or policy violations by other employees or volunteers, it is their professional and personal responsibility to immediately report their observations in accordance with the organization’s reporting procedures.

Remember, at our organization, the policies apply to everyone.

The following are examples of red-flag or inappropriate behaviors that all employees and volunteers are required to report:

• Any violation of the organization’s abuse prevention policies

• Seeking unauthorized private time or one-on-one time with children

• Seeing or visiting with a participant outside of scheduled programing

• Buying gifts for individual participants

• Sending unauthorized electronic communications through text messaging, social media, online gaming, etc. in violation of the organization’s electronic communication policy

• Making suggestive comments to participants

• Showing favoritism towards a participant or type of participant

• Participants disclosing that an employee or volunteer makes them feel uncomfortable

All reports of suspicious or inappropriate behavior with children will be taken seriously. Our procedures will be carefully followed to ensure that the rights of all those involved are protected. If employees or volunteers witness suspicious or inappropriate behaviors or policy violations from another employee or volunteer, the individual is instructed to do the following:

• Interrupt the behavior.

• Report the behavior to a supervisor, director, or other authority.

• If you are not comfortable making the report directly, make it anonymously

• If the report is about a supervisor or administrator, contact the next level of management.

• Complete an internal report but do not conduct an investigation.

• Keep reporting until the appropriate action is taken.

Supervisor and Administrator Response to Red-flag or Inappropriate Behaviors and/or Policy Violations:

In the event that a supervisor or an administrator receives a report of suspicious or inappropriate behaviors or policy violations from an employee, volunteer, children, or parent/guardian, the supervisor is instructed to do the following:

• Report to the next level supervisor or administrator.

• Speak with the employee or volunteer who has been reported.

• Review the file of the employee or volunteer to determine if similar complaints were reported.

• Determine the appropriate response based on the report.

Take into consideration factors such as:

1. Context of red-flag or inappropriate behavior or policy violation;

2. Severity of red-flag or inappropriate behavior or policy violation;

3. History of red-flag or inappropriate behaviors or policy violations;

4. Trainability of employee or volunteer.

• Document the report on the appropriate form.

• If at any point in gathering information about a report of red-flag or inappropriate behavior, a concern arises about possible abuse, contact the state authorities and file a report.

• If appropriate, notify parents/guardians.

• Advise the person who reported the behavior that the report is being taken seriously.

Based on the information gathered, the following may be required:

• Increase monitoring or supervision of the employee, volunteer, and/or program.

• If policy violations with participant(s) are confirmed, the employee or volunteer must be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination and prosecution. Disciplinary action will follow the Progressive Disciplinary Process outlined by the organization.

• If more information is needed, interview and/or survey other employees and volunteers or participants.

Organizational Response

After the internal review of the red-flag or inappropriate behaviors or policy violations, determine if system changes are necessary, such as:

• Review the need for increased supervision.

• Review the need for revised policies or procedures.

• Review the need for additional training.

**All reports of Red-Flag behaviors will be sent directly to Risk Management / P&C at ymcacolumbus.org/incidentreport or to Elissa James at ejames@ymcacolumbus.org.