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.
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 College’s 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 Organizations

General Guidelines:
 Be professional and provide excellent customer service.
 Record and report information accurately.
(Examples: Organization claims, monthly time reports, travel
vouchers)

 Cooperate with investigations.

 Observe organization policies and procedures.

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 Ethics and Organizations
 Organization 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 Organizations policy, but
also Texas state law. Your compliance with these policies is expected for
continuing organizations employment.

Employee Ethics and Standard of Conduct Policy

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 Benefits of
Ethics in the Workplace

Personal Benefits: Other Benefits:

 Peace of mind  Ensure policies are legal
 Pride  Improve society
 Good reputation  Maintain a moral course in
 Trust 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  Fairness
Honest – Reliable – Reputable Just – Reasonable – Impartial

 Respect  Caring
Tolerant – Considerate – With manners Kind – Compassionate – Giving

 Responsibility  Citizenship
Self control – Self discipline – Accountable 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 Organization’s 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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Organizations Standards of Conduct

 Acceptance of gifts  Firearms/weapons

 Confidentiality  Political activities
 State property  Publicity
 Outside employment  Conflict of interest
 Drug-free workplace  Prohibited representation

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 Organizations to an unauthorized party.

 Confidential information includes: Organizations claim files, personnel

actions, and investigation files.

 Giving out confidential information obtained through your job with

Organizations, 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 Organizations state

property to state purposes.
 Organizations employees may use state property only
to conduct official Organizations business.
 Employees are prohibited from conducting any
outside or non- Organizations’s business on state
time.

Use of State Property Policy

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 Use of State Property:
Examples
 Telephone & fax  Copy machines
 TEX-AN (long distance)  Cell phones
 Credit cards  State vehicles (or rental
 Computers 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/organization 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:
Organizations Records
 Falsifying and/or destroying Organizations records is a
violation of Organizations policy. It may also constitute a
violation of the Country’s Government Code.
 All records are considered state property and may not be
removed or destroyed except within accordance with
Organizations record and retention schedules.
 Check with your manager for specific operational policy.

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 Use of State Property:
Organizations 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 Organization’s
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:
• Drugs • Household or commercial products
• Alcohol • Other similar products
• Controlled substances • Unauthorized prescription drugs
• Derivatives of controlled substances • Other dangerous drugs

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.
Drug-Free Workplace Policy
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 Firearms and Other Weapons

 Some organizations have a zero-tolerance policy for

violence or harassment in the workplace.
 In order to ensure a safe workplace for your employees and
customers, Organization staff may not carry firearms or other
weapons on Organization’s 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 Organizations business.
 All media inquiries should be directed to the Organization’s managers.
 You should never accept an interview or provide information to the
media unless directed to do so by the Organization.

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.

The “Revolving Door” Statute

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Organizations 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 Organizations 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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 Knowledge Check
True or False?

1. One of the guidelines to ethical behavior is to be

professional and provide excellent customer
service.

TRUE FALSE

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 Knowledge Check
True or False?

1. One of the guidelines to ethical behavior is to be

professional and provide excellent customer
service.

You should also record and

report information accurately,
TRUE cooperate with investigations,
and observe College policies
and procedures.

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 Knowledge Check
True 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 Check
True or False?

2. These rules and standards of conduct are not

only LSCPA policy, but also Texas state law.

These laws and rules require your

TRUE compliance for continued
employment with Organizations.

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 Knowledge Check
True or False?

3. Organizations policy allows employees to take a second

job, as long as the hours don’t conflict with their
Organizations job.

TRUE FALSE

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 Knowledge Check
True or False?

3. Organizations policy allows employees to take a second

job, as long as the hours don’t conflict with their
Organizations job.

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
FALSE
approved using the agency procedures.

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 Knowledge Check
True 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 Check
True 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
TRUE than trying to undo inappropriate
actions.

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Thank You!