This document contains Yeshin Norbu’s guidelines for responding to a grievance and potential abuse. It also contains instructions on how to rapport a grievance and a form to be filled in. The purpose of the procedure is to obtain satisfactory resolution for all parties and to uphold a safe environment for everyone who comes into contact with Yeshin Norbu. 

The grievance procedure comes into play when a complaint is made by a person or a group of people who have, or have had, direct contact with Yeshin Norbu. It also comes into play if Yeshin Norbu in any way becomes aware of potential breeches of the ethical policy and/or abuse.

The grievance procedure is based on multiple polices that Yeshin Norbu, as an FPMT affiliate, is bound by. For further interpretation and guidelines regarding the grievance procedure the following policies can be consulted. FPMT’s ‘Ethical Policy’ contains ethical rules and can be said to be a code of conduct for people affiliated with Yeshin Norbu. The ‘Protecting from Abuse Policy’ contains further support for the ethical code of conduct and guidelines as to how to deal with abuse in the organisation. The ‘Confidentiality Policy’ deals with the matter of information sharing/confidentiality. FPMT also has guidelines for grievance procedures in the document ‘Responding to a Grievance’ and ‘Ethics and Protection from Abuse’.

Yeshin Norbu’s general guidelines for responding to a grievance: 

• Yeshin Norbu has appointed three Designated Protection Persons (DPP) who investigate complaints. For contact information, see the grievance form.

• The grievance procedure should be based on equanimity, compassion and an understanding of cause and effect. Everyone should be treated fairly and equally. The DPPs should have an understanding of Dharma and be able to apply that to conflicts. They should also be objective. Furthermore they should have knowledge of the policies that this document is based on, especially the Ethical Policy and the Protecting from Abuse Policy.

• Yeshin Norbu is committed to respecting the right to confidentiality of everyone at the center. In general personal information will be treated with confidentiality. However, it is sometimes necessary to share information when the situation calls for it. For instance, to the DPPs during a grievance procedure, if there is a legal obligation to share information or if it is necessary to protect persons at risk. A decision to break confidentiality will be made only after consulting with a DPP. The person disclosing information should be informed that the information may be shared. The sharing of information will only include the necessary information and only to those who need to know. Yeshin Norbu also needs to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in regards to processing personal data. 

• Complaints should be dealt with as soon as possible. They should be investigated to the extent that the matter requires, considering what the complaint is about and who is involved. If possible the grievance should be resolved internally. In exceptional cases and if the matter at hand calls for it, a mediator could be involved. If the parties are not satisfied with the outcome of the grievance procedure, the regional grievance committee or the regional coordinator can be contacted and asked for help in resolving the conflict.

• If the misconduct was severe, and the governing body considers it too detrimental to allow the individual to continue, they may dismiss that individual from their position or bar him or her from the center, service or project. Also if the individual does not agree to measures imposed, or is considered to have breached the ethical policy a second time, the individual may be dismissed from their position, or barred from the center, service or project. All disciplinary measures taken must be in accordance with Swedish labour laws.