Protection of Employees Against Retaliation for Reporting Violations
San Diego Municipal Code § 27.3573
in effect§27.3573 Protection of Employees Against Retaliation for Reporting Violations
(a) It is unlawful for any City Official to use or threaten to use any official authority or influence to discourage, restrain, or interfere with any other person for the purpose of preventing such person from acting in good faith to report or otherwise bring to the attention of the Ethics Commission or other appropriate agency, office, or department any information which, if true, would constitute:
(1) a work-related violation by a City Official of any law or regulation; or
(2) a gross waste of City funds; or
(3) a gross abuse of authority; or
(4) a conflict of interest of a City Official; or
(5) a specific and substantial danger to public health or safety due to an act or omission of a City Official, use of a City office or position, or use of City resources for personal gain.
(b) It is unlawful for any City Official to use or threaten to use any official authority or influence to effect any action as a reprisal against a City Official who reports or otherwise brings to the attention of the Ethics Commission or other appropriate agency, office, or department any information regarding the subjects described in subsection (a).
(c) Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to any action prohibited by this section may file a complaint with the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission shall thereupon investigate the complaint in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2, Article 6, Division 4, of this Municipal Code. Upon the conclusion of its investigation, the Ethics Commission may take appropriate action as allowed under its enforcement authority.
(d) In the event the Ethics Commission determines that it has a conflict of interest in an investigation of a retaliation complaint, the Ethics Commission staff shall refer the investigation of the retaliation complaint to the City Attorney who shall take appropriate action as otherwise provided by law.
(“Protection of Employees Against Retaliation for Reporting Violations” added 4-29-2002 by O-19055 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter02/Ch02Art07Division35.pdf#page=19Fetched: 10/28/2026