WorldTeach Organization Policies
Non-discrimination Policy
WorldTeach, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other characteristics that do not affect a candidate’s professional abilities and responsibilities.
U.S. Staff: To work for WorldTeach, a person must be a U.S. citizen, or must possess immigration status allowing him/her to work legally in the United States.
Field Staff: To work for WorldTeach, a person must be legal to work in the host country, which means either being a host country national or possess immigration status allowing him/her to work legally in the host country, or receiving legal immigration status at WorldTeach’s behest if WorldTeach possesses this authority.
Sexual Harassment Policy
WorldTeach seeks to maintain a work environment free from sexual harassment, both in its U.S. office and in all field offices. If an employee is affected by or aware of a suspected case of sexual harassment, that employee is urged to bring the situation to the attention of the Executive Director or another senior WorldTeach employee. If the affected employee does not receive a satisfactory response from the Executive Director, he/she may go to the Board of Directors. If the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors concludes that sexual harassment has occurred, immediate disciplinary action will be taken.
Whistleblower Policy
If any employee reasonably believes that some policy, practice, or activity of WorldTeach is in violation of law, a written complaint must be filed by that employee with the Executive Director or the Board President. It is the intent of WorldTeach to adhere to all laws and regulations that apply to the organization and the underlying purpose of this policy is to support the organization’s goal of legal compliance.
The support of all employees is necessary to achieving compliance with various laws and regulations. An employee is protected from retaliation only if the employee brings the alleged unlawful activity, policy, or practice to the attention of WorldTeach and provides WorldTeach with a reasonable opportunity to investigate and correct the alleged unlawful activity. The protection described below is only available to employees that comply with this requirement.
WorldTeach will not retaliate against an employee who in good faith, has made a protest or raised a complaint against some practice of WorldTeach, or of another individual or entity with whom WorldTeach has a business relationship, on the basis of a reasonable belief that the practice is in violation of law, or a clear mandate of public policy. WorldTeach will not retaliate against employees who disclose or threaten to disclose to a supervisor or a public body, any activity, policy, or practice of WorldTeach that the employee reasonably believes is in violation of a law, or a rule, or regulation mandated pursuant to law.
Nepotism Policy
Employment decisions are made solely on the basis of merit. WorldTeach staff members should not initiate or participate in hiring or other personnel decisions involving members of their immediate family or household or close personal friends. An employee should not hold a position that subjects him/her to direct supervision by a member of his/her family or household or a close personal friend. Special circumstances that may require waiving this policy should be discussed in advance with the Executive Director or in the case of the Executive Director with the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or someone so designated by him/her.
Conflict of Interest Policy
At all times, officers and board members are prohibited from using their job title or the organization's name or property, for private profit or benefit.
The staff, Board officers and members of the organization should neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors/vendors. This is not intended to preclude bona-fide organization fund raising-activities.
No staff member, Board officer, or member of the organization shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a purchase or contract with a vendor where, to his knowledge, any of the following has a financial interest in that purchase or contract:
1. The staff member, Board officer or member;
2. Any member of their immediate family;
3. Their partner;
4. An organization in which any of the above is an officer, director or employee;
5. A person or organization with whom any of the above individuals is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment.
Disclosure: Any possible conflict of interest shall be disclosed by the person or persons concerned.
Board Action: When a conflict of interest is relevant to a matter requiring action by the Board, the interested person(s) shall call it to the attention of the Board and said person(s) shall not vote on the matter. In addition, the person(s) shall not participate in the final decision or related deliberation regarding the matter under consideration. When there is a doubt as to whether a conflict exists, the matter shall be resolved by vote of the Board of Trustees, excluding the person(s) concerning whose situation the doubt has arisen.
Record of Conflict: The official minutes of the Board shall reflect that the conflict of interest was disclosed and the interested person(s) did not participate in the final discussion or vote and did not vote on the matter.
Staff Action: The Executive Director monitors all activity to verify that no conflicts of interest are occurring with the staff. Any transactions that might result in a conflict of interest must be disclosed and then approved or denied by the Executive Director. In addition, as part of the employee annual review, each employee reads and signs a statement that they assert and attest that they have no conflict of interest in their relationship with WorldTeach.
Drug Free Workplace
Because WorldTeach has in the past and may continue to occasionally receive federal government funding, WorldTeach’s U.S. office and any field offices for programs receiving federal funding are considered to be Drug Free Workplaces. The use and distribution of controlled substances are prohibited in the workplace, and all employees must abide by Federal laws regarding controlled substances. Besides the prohibition on drugs in the workplace because of government funding, WorldTeach is independently opposed to the use of drugs in the workplace.
Records Retention and Destruction Policy
Electronic documents will be retained as if they were paper documents. Therefore, any electronic files, including records of donations made online, that fall into one of the document types on the above schedule will be maintained for the appropriate amount of time
The Organization’s records will be stored in a safe, secure and accessible manner. Documents and financial files that are essential to keeping the Organization operating in an emergency will be duplicated or backed up regularly and maintained off site.
The Organization’s Executive Director is responsible for the ongoing process of identifying its records, which have met the required retention period and overseeing their destruction. Destruction of financial and personnel-related documents will be accomplished by shredding.
Additional Information