A. "Improper governmental action" means any action by a County officer or employee that is undertaken in the performance of their official duties, and that:

"Improper governmental action" excludes personnel actions, including but not limited to: employee grievances, complaints, appointments, promotions, transfers, assignments, reassignments, reinstatements, restorations, re-employments, performance evaluations, reductions in pay, reprimands, dismissals, suspensions, demotions, alleged violations of Civil Service laws, alleged violations of Title 3 PCC, alleged violations of the Pierce County Administrative Guidelines, alleged violations of agreements with labor organizations under collective bargaining, or any action that may be taken under Chapters 41.14, 41.56, or 49.60 RCW. Complaints pertaining to such alleged violations should be addressed according to the applicable complaint processes for those matters. A properly authorized County program or activity does not become an "improper governmental action" because an employee or auditing official dissents from the County policy or considers the expenditures unwise.

B. "Retaliatory action" means (1) any unwarranted adverse change in a County employee's employment status, or the terms and conditions of employment including denial of adequate staff to perform duties, frequent staff changes, frequent and undesirable office changes, refusal to assign meaningful work, unwarranted and unsubstantiated letters of reprimand or unsatisfactory performance evaluations, demotion, transfer, reassignment, reduction in pay, denial of promotion, suspension, dismissal, or any other disciplinary action taken on account of, or with motivation from the employee's action protected under PCC 3.14.030, or (2) hostile actions by another employee that were encouraged by a supervisor or senior manager or official.

C. "Emergency" means a circumstance that if not immediately changed may cause damage to person or property.