A Matter of Ethics: Facing The Fear of Doing The Right Thing Dr. Teri Traaen General Manager –...

A Matter of Ethics: Facing The Fear of Doing

The Right Thing

Dr. Teri TraaenGeneral Manager – Human Resources

City of Scottsdale, AZ


Proactive Responsibility

Human Resources Departments’ must develop a comprehensive approach to promoting ethical

behavior


Code of Ethics

Varied backgroundsDoing what is right – rarely enoughInput from all levelsGuidance for clear conduct


Leadership

Actions speak louder than wordsA dedication to ethical managementParticipate in trainingTake affirmative stepsSet the moral tone through observable exemplary behavior


Training & Higher Education

Evidence indicates that formal ethics training fosters improved ethical behaviorGoal – the enhancement of maturity and professionalismFormal education appears to reinforce previous established ethical values in individuals


Hiring Practices

Applicant selection processTesting process – raises red flags, reduces susceptibility to unethical behaviorPromoting ethics and increasing diversity – standards lowering


Is this where we are?


Shaping Your Beliefs

Who has shaped or influenced your standard of ethics the most?

How did he/she shape your standard of ethics?

How do you continue to feel their impact?


Ethical Environments

Synergistic environments = those characterized by rigorous interchange among people…foster inquiry

Environments that separate people depress inquiry– By Bruce Joyce and Emily Calhoun, ASCD

Educational Leadership. 1995


Ethical Inquiry

Serious inquiry often leads us beyond the information we are accustomed to using– By Bruce Joyce and Emily Calhoun, ASCD

Educational Leadership. 1995


Trustworthiness

It is about the business of character, integrity, maturity and an abundance mentality. It includes competence – in a technical, conceptual and interdependent sense. A trustworthy person evidences great judgment and wisdom


Template For Change

1. Identify four actions that you need to take that you have been putting off

2. Answer these questions about the four items above:– Why haven’t we/the organization taken

action?– What pain have we/the organization

linked to take this action?


Core Ethics Training Items

Ethics values –Ethics – Honesty –Integrity – Morals – Promise keeping – Values -

Accountability –Inspiration – Legacy – Permanence –Perseverance – Priorities – Responsibility -


Affirming The Ethical Diversity

Valuing the diversity of different ethical values raises the question of how you can value everyone else’s ethics, even if they are different from yours. While the behaviors that you expect are second nature to you, they might not be second nature to someone else’s boundaries……


Ethics Norms and Regime Values

Ethical norms (within an organization) come from the application of the strictest values of the organization. What does your organization expect from its employees on a daily basis? How is this communicated?


Ethics Differences

… Especially if their ethical influence comes primarily from another country or culture. Think about your work group… what different cultural or ethnic influences are represented in the ethics-based decision making process? How are these differences affirmed?


Core Virtues

1. Prudence2. Trust3. Effacement of self-interests4. Courage5. Intellectual honesty6. Justice7. Cognizant of other alternatives


Diagnosis Unlimited

1. Values as a basis of your ethical system

2. Values as a basis for your organization’s ethical system

3. Values as the foundation for your professional industry


What Constitutes An Ethics Legacy?

Personally … I will ……

Professionally … I will ……

Community role model … I will ……


The Savvy Ethics-Based Leader:

1. Studies power dynamics – how decisions get made, who has access to and influence on power

2. Builds and maintains key networks

3. Knows cultural norms and core values

4. Understands how to implement ideas

5. Promotes himself/herself with integrity

6. Challenges ideas and addresses difficult issues without embarrassing others


The Savvy Ethics-Based Leader:7. Creates an accurate perception of his/her

ideas, talents, and potential8. Factors in timing, setting, conflicting

agendas, allies, and advocates in deciding which “battles” can be won

9. Detects patterns of deception, personal and hidden agendas, and self-serving information

10. Uses verbal discipline with people he/she does not trust

11. Holds firm on integrity issues and is willing to take a stand


Setting the Ethical Tone

Reinforce the need to achieve business goals, while living your organizations’ core values and following your newly adopted Code of

Ethics and Rules of Conduct handbook


Ethics Policy ComparisonOREGON GOVERNMENT

STANDARDS & PRACTICES CITY OF SCOTTSDALE

CODE OF ETHICS

• Applies to all public officials (e.g., elected officials, appointed officials, employees, volunteers)

• Cannot use position for financial gain or avoidance of financial detriment that is not otherwise available to the general public.

• Soliciting & Receiving Gifts limited to $100 aggregate value from a single source in a calendar year.

• Applies to all elected officials, appointed officials, task force members, city employees, and volunteers

• Cannot purchase, sell, or lease any real or personal property if there is a financial interest at a value below or above that available to the general public.

• Prohibited from soliciting, receiving, or accepting gifts of any kind from anyone engaged in a general practice or specific situation that involves the City’s decision-making or permitting process if it may be construed as an attempt to create a more favorable relationship than that enjoyed by any other citizen.




CODE OF ETHICS

• Entertainment limitations are $100/person for a single occasion not to exceed $250 in a calendar year and purchaser or provider must be present.

• Enforcement administered by the Oregon Standards and Practices Commission

• City officials can accept entertainment, hospitality (including meals), transportation, and token mementoes directly associated with events that an official is attending as a representative of the City. If any gift or personal benefit exceeds $25 in value, the City official must declare it to the City Clerk.

• Enforcement includes processes in place for individuals to file a complaint. False or frivolous complaints are subject to criminal prosecution for perjury and potential civil liability for defamation.




CODE OF ETHICS

OTHER POLICIES

• Personal Use of phones

• Personal use of computers

OTHER POLICIES

• Open Government

• Executive Session

• Preservation and Availability of Public Documents

• Undue Influence on Subordinates

A Matter of Ethics: Facing The Fear of Doing The Right Thing Dr. Teri Traaen General Manager –...

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