ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE

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ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE
Lamar State College Port Arthur
This training outlines what is expected of LSCPA
employees. It is intended only as a brief
introductory guide, and should not be considered
as a comprehensive legal document.
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In this training you will get the answers to
these questions and more

• What is ethical behavior and why does it matter
  at work?
• How do I know if I am making ethical decisions?
• What process should I follow to make ethical
  decisions?
• What is the Colleges policy on Ethics and
  Standards of Conduct?

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• Ethics in the Workplace
• Definitions, Benefits Choices

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What are Ethics?

• Ethics are moral values which affect personal or
  professional actions.

• They are more than a set of rules. Ethics are
  knowing how to apply the rules and having the
  strength of character to behave in an ethical
  manner.

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Ethics and LSCPA

• General Guidelines
• Be professional and provide excellent customer
  service.
• Record and report information accurately.
• (Examples LSCPA claims, monthly time reports,
  travel vouchers)
• Cooperate with investigations.
• Observe College policies and procedures.

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Ethics and LSCPA

• LSCPA employees should conduct themselves
  professionally at all times on the job, and act
  in ways that bring credit to themselves, the
  College, and the public we serve.
• Your compliance with the Employee Ethics and
  Standard of Conduct Policy is of utmost
  importance. Unfortunately, even the appearance
  of wrongdoing by one employee may affect the
  reputation of every employee.
• These rules and standards of conduct are not only
  LSCPA policy, but also Texas state law. Your
  compliance with these policies is expected for
  continuing LSCPA employment.

Employee Ethics and Standard of Conduct Policy
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Benefits of Ethics in the Workplace

• Personal Benefits
• Peace of mind
• Pride
• Good reputation
• Trust

• Other Benefits
• Ensure policies are legal
• Improve society
• Maintain a moral course in difficult times
• Develop strong teamwork and productivity

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Making Ethical Choices

• When in doubt
• Talk to people whose judgment you respect.
• What would the most ethical person you know do?
• What would you do if you were sure everyone would
  know?
• Golden Rule Treat others as you would want to be
  treated.

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Making Ethical Choices
The Six Pillars of Character emphasize various
values. These character traits can help you to
be ethical.

• Trustworthiness
• Honest Reliable Reputable
• Respect
• Tolerant Considerate With manners
• Responsibility
• Self control Self discipline Accountable

• Fairness
• Just Reasonable Impartial
• Caring
• Kind Compassionate Giving
• Citizenship
• Obey Respect Protect

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Making Ethical Choices

• Act in a manner that promotes public confidence
  in your integrity and fairness.
• Follow the Six Pillars of Character
• Be professional
• Give excellent customer service
• Follow LSCPAs Standards of Conduct as a guide
  for what specific actions are allowed or
  prohibited.

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• Standards of Conduct

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LSCPA Standards of Conduct

• Firearms/weapons
• Political activities
• Publicity
• Conflict of interest
• Prohibited representation

• Acceptance of gifts
• Confidentiality
• State property
• Outside employment
• Drug-free workplace

Standards of Conduct
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Acceptance of Gifts

• Accepting gifts, gratuities, or entertainment
  from someone involved with a claim (or agency
  business).
• This is not allowed You may not seek or accept
  anything of value for your official duties.

You are paid your state salary for your job
duties and responsibilities without expecting
anything in return.
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Confidential Information

• Do not give out confidential information you know
  through employment with the College to an
  unauthorized party.
• Confidential information includes LSCPA claim
  files, personnel actions, and investigation
  files.
• Giving out confidential information obtained
  through your job with LSCPA, or using such
  information for your own personal gain, would be
  unethical and unlawful.

Confidential Information Policy
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Use of State Property

• State law limits the use of Texas state property
  to state purposes.
• LSCPA employees may use state property only to
  conduct official College business.
• Employees are prohibited from conducting any
  outside or non-College business on state time.

Use of State Property Policy
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Use of State PropertyExamples

• Telephone fax
• TEX-AN (long distance)
• Credit cards
• Computers

• Copy machines
• Cell phones
• State vehicles (or rental vehicles paid for by
  the state)

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Use of State Property Internet

• The Internet should be used for legitimate state
  business. However, brief, occasional and
  incidental personal use is allowed.
• Personal use of the Internet is a privilege (not
  a right) and personal use should be limited to
  short work breaks, lunch and 30 minutes before or
  after work.

Internet Policy
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Use of State Property Internet

• Prohibited
• Accessing pornographic sites/material.
• Accessing, posting, or sharing material that can
  be considered racist, sexist, threatening,
  obscene or otherwise objectionable under state or
  federal law.
• Use that hampers or impedes the conduct of state
  business.
• Use for political purposes.
• Use for the solicitation for charities/organizatio
  n memberships.
• Use for subscribing to mailing lists or mail
  services.

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Use of State Property E-Mail

• E-mail should be used only for legitimate state
  business. However, e-mail messages of a personal
  nature may be sent and received as long as use is
  brief, occasional and incidental.
• .

Personal use of e-mail is a privilege (not a
right), and personal use should be limited
E-Mail Policy
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Use of State Property E-Mail

• Prohibited
• Use for solicitation for charities or
  organization membership.
• Use for personal monetary interest or gain.
• Use that hampers or impedes the conduct of state
  business.

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Use of State Property LSCPA Records

• Falsifying and/or destroying LSCPA records is a
  violation of LSCPA policy. It may also constitute
  a violation of the Texas Government Code and/or
  Texas Penal Code and carry criminal penalties.
• All records are considered state property and may
  not be removed or destroyed except within
  accordance with LSCPA record and retention
  schedules.
• Check with your manager for specific operational
  policy.

• The Internal Audit Division is required by law
  to report such violations to the State Auditor.

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Use of State PropertyLSCPA Facilities

• You may not use work hours and/or state property
  to solicit and collect gifts, contributions or
  services from non-workers for special events or
  incidents, or for political purposes.
• Limited voluntary donations for co-workers on
  special occasions, such as retirements, may be
  approved by your manager.

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Other Employment

• You may not engage in outside employment or
  activities that conflict with College duties and
  responsibilities.
• The Outside Employment Policy requires each LSCPA
  employee to notify, provide relevant information,
  and receive approval from the proper authority
  before accepting employment with another
  employer.
• Dual State Employment requires an employee to
  inform the employing state agency before
  accepting additional employment with another
  agency or institution.

Outside Employment Policy
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Drug-Free Workplace

• College employees must not work under the
  influence of
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can provide
  employees and their dependents with confidential
  referral services for assistance in resolving
  problems with alcohol, drug or other substance
  abuse.

• Household or commercial products
• Other similar products
• Unauthorized prescription drugs
• Other dangerous drugs

• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Controlled substances
• Derivatives of controlled substances

Drug-Free Workplace Policy
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Firearms and Other Weapons

• LSCPA has a zero-tolerance policy for violence or
  harassment in the workplace.
• In order to ensure a safe workplace for our
  employees and customers, College staff may not
  carry firearms or other weapons on LSCPA premises.

Firearms and Other Weapons Prohibited
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Political Activities

• State and federal laws restrict political
  activity of state employees.
• You may not participate in political activities
  on state time.
• This includes
• Collecting contributions
• Selling tickets to political fund raisers
• Distributing campaign material
• Making campaign phone calls

Political Activities Policy
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Publicity

• A specific individual is responsible for public
  communication about official College business.
• All media inquiries should be directed to the
  Vice President for Student Services.
• You should never accept an interview or provide
  information to the media unless directed to do so
  by the Executive Division.

Publicity Restrictions Public Statements
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Conflict of Interest

• On acceptance of appointment to LSCPA, an
  appointee who is an officer, employee or paid
  consultant of a Texas trade association must
  resign the position or terminate the contract
  with the trade association.
• Only applies to LSCPA Employees, exempt
  employees, and those in salary group 17 or above.

Conflict of Interest Policy
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Prohibited Representation(Revolving Door)

• The Revolving Door statute restricts the
  activities of former employees, executives and
  governing body members of regulatory agencies
  after they leave the agency.
• Only applies to former LSCPA Employees,
  Executive Directors, former state officers of
  regulatory agencies, exempt employees, and those
  in salary group 17 or above.

The Revolving Door Statute
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LSCPA Standards of Conduct

• Please note!
• The previous examples are frequent issues that
  come up in the workplace.
• Other ethical issues not covered in this training
  may occur.
• If so, good judgment and communication with your
  supervisor should be used to make good decisions.
• Any job-related conduct which is outside the
  scope of professional behavior, common courtesy,
  and excellent customer service, and any conduct
  which breaks any College policy or state and/or
  federal law, violates the Employee Ethics and
  Standards of Conduct policy.

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Final Thought

• If you have questions about how the Ethics Policy
  may apply to your particular situation, please
  contact your supervisor or Human Resources.
• It is much easier and safer to get advice ahead
  of time rather than trying to undo inappropriate
  actions. Such actions can involve career-ending
  mistakes, or the possibility of suffering
  administrative, civil or even criminal penalties.

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• Knowledge Check

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1. One of the guidelines to ethical behavior is
to be professional and provide excellent customer
service.
Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
TRUE
FALSE
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1. One of the guidelines to ethical behavior is
to be professional and provide excellent customer
service.
Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
You should also record and report information
accurately, cooperate with investigations, and
observe College policies and procedures.
TRUE
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Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
2. These rules and standards of conduct are not
only LSCPA policy, but also Texas state law.
TRUE
FALSE
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Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
2. These rules and standards of conduct are not
only LSCPA policy, but also Texas state law.
TRUE
These laws and rules require your compliance for
continued employment with LSCPA.  
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3. College policy allows employees to take a
second job, as long as the hours dont conflict
with their LSCPA job.
Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
TRUE
FALSE
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3. College policy allows employees to take a
second job, as long as the hours dont conflict
with their LSCPA job.
Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
You may only be allowed to take outside
employment if it does not conflict with College
duties and responsibilities. You must also have
the employment approved using the agency
procedures.
FALSE
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Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
4. If in doubt about what choice is ethical, you
should contact your supervisor or Human Resources
in advance.
TRUE
FALSE
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Knowledge CheckTrue or False?
4. If in doubt about what choice is ethical, you
should contact your supervisor or Human Resources
in advance.
It is much easier and safer for you to get advice
ahead of time rather than trying to undo
inappropriate actions.
TRUE
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End of Course