Complaint concerning an eps representative

PURPOSE

To outline procedures for the receipt, investigation, and adjudication of Complaints regarding the EPS Executive Director, EPS Employees, or Members of the EPS Global Ethics Commission, collectively referred to as EPS Representatives. Because EPS Representatives normally conduct all the processes in a Complaint Procedure, and for the purpose of impartiality, a separate process is necessary in the event there is a Complaint regarding any of these individuals.

DEFINITIONS 

Adjudication – The process of making formal decisions regarding the truthfulness of the allegations in a Complaint and any consequences or discipline for the Respondent.

Complaint – A Complaint or concern against an EPS Representative, where the matter regards their conduct in their non-EPS role as a Teacher or Minister, or regarding their conduct as an EPS Representative, whether or not they are a Teacher or Minister.

EPS Representative – Any employee of EPS, the EPS Executive Director (ED), or a Member of the EPS Global Ethics Commission.

Global Ethics Commission (GEC) – The diverse international body of Teachers and Ministers responsible for the adjudication of Complaints brought forward by EPS for its consideration.

Minister – A Sikh Dharma International Minister 

Reporter – The person who submitted the Complaint.

Respondent – A subject of a Complaint who has been notified of the Complaint.

Siri Singh Sahib Corporation (SSSC) – The nonprofit religious organization overseeing the various nonprofit and for-profit organizations of the 3HO/Sikh Dharma global community. 

SSSC Office of Dharmic Counsel (ODC) – Legal counsel for the SSSC and its offices, including EPS.

Special Committee – A committee formed to conduct all the business of a complaint normally undertaken by EPS and the GEC, i.e., to plan and conduct the investigation and to adjudicate the complaint. 

Teacher – Any KRI-Certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, KRI teacher trainer, or participant in KRI Level One Teacher Training.

PROCEDURE FOR A COMPLAINT AGAINST AN EPS REPRESENTATIVE

  1. In any case, if the Complaint is against the EPS Representative in their non-EPS role as a Minister, “Procedures for Complaints Concerning SDI Ministers” and the EPS Complaint Procedure will be followed to the degree possible independent of the Global Ethics Commission.
  2. In any case, if the Complaint is against the EPS Representative in their non-EPS role as a Teacher, the regular  EPS Complaint Procedure will be followed to the degree possible independent of the Global Ethics Commission.
  3. In the case of a Complaint against the EPS Executive Director:
    1. The Complaint will need to be submitted directly to the Executive Director of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation. 
    2. In the event such a Complaint is submitted to EPS in error
      1. The EPS employee receiving the complaint will immediately forward the complaint to the SSSC ED and the ODC to be processed as set forth below. 
      2. All EPS Representatives are recused from any involvement in the case and prohibited from discussing the matter among themselves and/or with any outside party.
    3. The SSSC Executive Director (ED) will oversee investigation and adjudication of the Complaint with the advice of ODC and exclusive of any EPS employee. They shall have the discretion to utilize the GEC if deemed appropriate by the SSSC ED and ODC. The SSSC ED may form a Special Committee separate from the GEC and exclusive of any EPS employee, that will plan and oversee investigation and adjudication of the Complaint. 
    4. The EPS ED is required to fully cooperate in the investigation.
    5. Other EPS Representatives are required to fully cooperate as requested in the investigation.
    6. At the SSSC ED’s discretion and after consulting with ODC , the EPS ED may be put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
  4. In the case of a Complaint against an EPS employee:
    1. The Complaint will need to be submitted directly to the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation. 
    2. In the event such a complaint is submitted to EPS in error
      1. The EPS employee receiving the complaint will immediately forward the complaint to the SSSC ED and the ODC to be processed as set forth below.  
      2. All EPS Representatives are recused from any involvement in the case and prohibited from discussing it among themselves and/or any outside party.
    3. The SSSC ED will form a Special Committee separate from the GEC and exclusive of any EPS employee, that will plan and oversee investigation and adjudication of the Complaint. 
    4. The EPS employee of concern will cooperate in the investigation.
    5. Other EPS Representatives are required to fully cooperate in the investigation as requested.
    6. At the SSSC ED’s discretion and after consulting with ODC, the EPS ED may participate in the Special Committee.
    7. At the SSSC ED’s discretion and after consulting with ODC, the EPS employee may be put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
  5. In the case of a Complaint against a Global Ethics Commission member who is not an employee of EPS:
    1. The complaint should be submitted via the EPS hotline or webform.
    2. The EPS ED will form a Special Committee separate from the GEC and exclusive of any EPS employee (other than the EPS ED), to plan and oversee the investigation and adjudication of the complaint. 
      1. In the event the EPS ED is recused due to a conflict of interest, the SSSC ED will form the Special Committee and oversee the investigation and adjudication of the complaint.
      2. The Special Committee will appoint a Guide for the Reporter (as outlined in the EPS Complaint Procedure) if deemed necessary.
    3. The GEC will not be informed of the complaint.
    4. At the EPS ED’s discretion and after consulting with ODC, the GEC member may be asked to step away from participation in the GEC pending the outcome of the investigation.


DISCIPLINARY OUTCOMES OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST AN EPS REPRESENTATIVE

  1. Regarding their conduct as a Representative of EPS
    1. The outcome is not public information.
    2. The Reporter will be informed that the investigation was completed and appropriate action taken.
  2. Regarding conduct in their non-EPS role as a Teacher or Minister
    1. Potential outcomes are in accordance with the standard EPS Complaint Procedure.
    2. Public notice on the EPS Status web page will be in accordance with the standard EPS Complaint Procedure.
    3. Notification to the Reporter will be in accordance with the standard EPS Complaint Procedure.
    4. Appeal Procedure will be in accordance with the standard EPS Complaint Procedure.
    5. If the Complaint is substantiated and a violation of the KRI Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct or the Code of Ethics for SDI Ministers has occurred, the EPS Representative may also have a disciplinary consequence relative to EPS employment or GEC membership.