Whistleblower Policy

This Whistleblower Policy of the International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology, Inc. (“ISCTM”): (1) encourages staff and volunteers to come forward with credible information on illegal practices or serious violations of adopted policies of ISCTM; (2) specifies that ISCTM will protect the person from retaliation; and (3) identifies where such information can be reported.

1. Encouragement of Reporting. ISCTM encourages complaints, reports or inquiries about illegal practices or serious violations of ISCTM’s policies, including illegal or improper conduct by ISCTM itself, by its leadership, or by others on its behalf.  Appropriate subjects to raise under this policy would include ethical violations, financial improprieties, accounting or audit matters, or other similar illegal or improper practices or policies.  Matters concerning alleged discrimination or harassment should be raised via ISCTM’s human resources channels or existing procedures for administering complaints, unless those channels are themselves implicated in the wrongdoing.  This policy is not intended to provide a means of appeal from outcomes in those other mechanisms.

2. Protection from retaliation. ISCTM prohibits retaliation by or on behalf of ISCTM against staff or volunteers for making good faith complaints, reports or inquiries 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. ISCTM reserves the right to discipline persons who make bad faith, knowingly false, or vexatious complaints, reports or inquiries or who otherwise abuse this policy.

3. Where to report. Complaints, reports or inquiries may be made under this policy on a confidential or anonymous basis. They should describe in detail the specific facts demonstrating the bases for the complaints, reports or inquiries. They should be directed to the Executive Director or the President.  If both of these persons are implicated in the complaint, report or inquiry, it should be directed to ISCTM’s General Counsel.  ISCTM will conduct a prompt, discreet, and objective review or investigation consistent with existing procedures for administering complaints as applicable.  Staff or volunteers must recognize that ISCTM may be unable to fully evaluate a vague or anonymous general complaint, report or inquiry.

4.  General Counsel:
Elliott Adler
eadler@ebalaw.com
(240) 497-1400
7316 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 420
Bethesda, MD 20814