A Matter of Ethics: Facing The Fear of Doing The Right Thing

1. A Matter of Ethics: Facing The Fear of Doing The Right Thing Dr. Teri Traaen General Manager – Human Resources City of Scottsdale, AZ

2. Proactive Responsibility Human Resources Departments’ must develop a comprehensive approach to promoting ethical behavior City of Scottsdale, AZ

3. Code of Ethics • Varied backgrounds • Doing what is right – rarely enough • Input from all levels • Guidance for clear conduct City of Scottsdale, AZ

4. Leadership • Actions speak louder than words • A dedication to ethical management • Participate in training • Take affirmative steps • Set the moral tone through observable exemplary behavior City of Scottsdale, AZ

5. Training & Higher Education • Evidence indicates that formal ethics training fosters improved ethical behavior • Goal – the enhancement of maturity and professionalism • Formal education appears to reinforce previous established ethical values in individuals City of Scottsdale, AZ

6. Hiring Practices • Applicant selection process • Testing process – raises red flags, reduces susceptibility to unethical behavior • Promoting ethics and increasing diversity – standards lowering City of Scottsdale, AZ

7. Is this where we are? City of Scottsdale, AZ

8. 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? City of Scottsdale, AZ

9. 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 City of Scottsdale, AZ

10. 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 City of Scottsdale, AZ

11. 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 City of Scottsdale, AZ

12. Template For Change • Identify four actions that you need to take that you have been putting off • 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? City of Scottsdale, AZ

13. Ethics values – Ethics – Honesty – Integrity – Morals – Promise keeping – Values - Accountability – Inspiration – Legacy – Permanence – Perseverance – Priorities – Responsibility - Core Ethics Training Items City of Scottsdale, AZ

14. 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…… City of Scottsdale, AZ

15. 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? City of Scottsdale, AZ

16. 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? City of Scottsdale, AZ

17. Core Virtues • Prudence • Trust • Effacement of self-interests • Courage • Intellectual honesty • Justice • Cognizant of other alternatives City of Scottsdale, AZ

18. Diagnosis Unlimited • Values as a basis of your ethical system • Values as a basis for your organization’s ethical system • Values as the foundation for your professional industry City of Scottsdale, AZ

19. What Constitutes An Ethics Legacy? • Personally … I will …… • Professionally … I will …… • Community role model … I will …… City of Scottsdale, AZ

20. The Savvy Ethics-Based Leader: • Studies power dynamics – how decisions get made, who has access to and influence on power • Builds and maintains key networks • Knows cultural norms and core values • Understands how to implement ideas • Promotes himself/herself with integrity • Challenges ideas and addresses difficult issues without embarrassing others City of Scottsdale, AZ

21. The Savvy Ethics-Based Leader: • Creates an accurate perception of his/her ideas, talents, and potential • Factors in timing, setting, conflicting agendas, allies, and advocates in deciding which “battles” can be won • Detects patterns of deception, personal and hidden agendas, and self-serving information • Uses verbal discipline with people he/she does not trust • Holds firm on integrity issues and is willing to take a stand City of Scottsdale, AZ

22. 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 City of Scottsdale, AZ

23. Ethics Policy Comparison OREGON 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. City of Scottsdale, AZ

24. Ethics Policy Comparison OREGON GOVERNMENT STANDARDS & PRACTICES CITY OF SCOTTSDALE 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. City of Scottsdale, AZ

25. Ethics Policy Comparison OREGON GOVERNMENT STANDARDS & PRACTICES CITY OF SCOTTSDALE 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 City of Scottsdale, AZ

26. Q & A