“Emergency” means a circumstance that if not immediately changed, may cause damage to persons or property.

“Improper governmental action” means any action by a local governmental officer or employee undertaken in the performance of the officer’s or employee’s official duties, whether or not within the scope of the employee’s employment, that is in violation of any law or rule, is an abuse of authority, is of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety, or is a gross waste of public funds. “Improper governmental action” does not include personnel actions.

“Retaliatory action” means any adverse change in an 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. [Res. 432 § B, 1992.]