NAPO Safety Position Statement

SAFETY POSITION STATEMENT

Neither NAPO nor NAPO Chapters may implement a policy or program involving the issuance of “safety alerts” regarding unsafe or potentially unsafe client situations.

  • A “safety policy” pursuant to which a perceived unsafe situation is made public could place NAPO, the NAPO Chapter, and the reporting individual(s) at risk of a claim of defamation of character or invasion of privacy.
  • A “safety policy” pursuant to which a client is or could be identified could result in a breach of NAPO’s Code of Ethics. Under the Code, client information may only be shared with the client’s express permission.

If a NAPO member encounters a situation deemed to involve unlawful conduct, an appropriate course of action would be to contact the authorities.

If a NAPO member encounters a situation deemed to be unsafe but not unlawful and desires to share certain information one-on-one with another organizer, the following should be considered:

  • Information shared should be objective (not subjective).
  • Information shared should be factual (true and complete).
  • Sharing untruthful information puts the reporting individual at risk of a claim of defamation.
  • Sharing even truthful information could put the reporting individual at risk of a claim of invasion of privacy.

NAPO members are encouraged to consider their own safety as they carry out the duties of their profession. NAPO offers a course on this subject: PO-402, Safety in the Organizing Environment

Chapters are required to take the following actions:

If chapters currently have anything resembling a “safety alert policy,” please:

  • Repeal it immediately.
  • Note the change in chapter minutes.
  • Update policies and procedures and notify NAPO of revisions.

Approved by NAPO Board of Directors on April 15, 2013