What is wrongdoing?

A serious action or failure to act that is also a crime. Some factors which may indicate that the matter is “serious” include whether the action:

– is deliberate
– is done by a person with a high level of seniority or responsibility
– is a significant departure from accepted standards of conduct
– can/will result in significant loss of trust in the public organization.

A substantial danger means that a reasonable person would consider the danger serious and likely to result in real harm. This includes extreme damage or threat to the environment.

A specific danger means there is an actual threat and something or someone is at particular risk. The danger is identifiable and expected at a foreseeable future date.

Exception: danger that is a typical part of someone’s job is generally not included.

Misuse means that money or resources

– are being wasted
– are not being used for their intended purpose, or
– are used in a way which is irregular, unauthorized, or not normally expected or required

Some factors which may indicate that the misuse of funds or assets was “serious” include

– deliberate misuse or an abuse of power
– recurrent or frequent misuse
– a significant amount of funds was misused
– the misuse was undertaken by someone in a high level of authority or position of trust

Mismanagement is the inappropriate or irresponsible management of a government resource, such as staff, a contract, or a project.

Some factors which may indicate that the mismanagement was gross include:

– the conduct is deliberate or for personal gain
– the mismanagement involves significant government resources
– the conduct is reckless or indifferent
– the person who engaged in mismanagement has a high level of authority or trust

Some factors which may indicate that the mismanagement was systemic include:
– the conduct is recurrent or frequent
– the conduct is known or accepted within an organization
– the mismanagement is built into an organization’s structure, policies or practices

This means telling someone else to commit a wrongdoing regardless of whether the other person follows through.