ETHICS AND THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY CREATING

ETHICS AND THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY: CREATING A CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY Peter Constantine Associate Solicitor for Legal Counsel Office of the Solicitor, U. S. Department of Labor

MANAGEMENT IS DOING THINGS RIGHT; LEADERSHIP IS DOING THE RIGHT THINGS. ~ PETER DRUCKER

CORE VALUES: MERIT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES 5 U. S. C. 2301 The foundation for ethics in the Federal workplace

ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY, CONDUCT, AND CONCERN FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST. The foundation for the standards of ethical conduct applied to all Federal employees.

PUBLIC SERVICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST. EACH EMPLOYEE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND ITS CITIZENS TO PLACE LOYALTY TO THE CONSTITUTION, LAWS AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES ABOVE PRIVATE GAIN. Standards of ethical conduct 5 C. F. R. 2635. 101(a)

ETHICS AND MERIT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES SOME ADDITIONAL MERIT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES

All employees and applicants for employment should receive fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of personnel management without regard to political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or handicapping condition, and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights.

EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST ARBITRARY ACTION, PERSONAL FAVORITISM, OR COERCION FOR PARTISAN POLITICAL PURPOSES.

Employees should be protected against reprisal for whistleblowing

THE FEVS TRACKS ADHERENCE TO THESE PRINCIPLES: My organization’s leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity FEVS Question 54

Arbitrary action, personal favoritism and coercion for partisan political purposes are not tolerated 56% Agreed FEVS Q 37 Prohibited Personnel Practices are not tolerated. 70% Agreed FEVS Q 38

ETHICS DRIVE ENGAGEMENT Positive perceptions of an organization’s ethical culture associated with higher levels of employee engagement. Management’s commitment to ethics is particularly important for employee engagement. “Ethics and Employee Engagement” ~The Ethics Resource Center

Why does it matter? Ethics and Risk Management

1. Values matter most when they are least convenient 2. Bad things happen in the dark. 3. Privacy is a luxury (you can’t afford). 4. Remoteness breeds indifference. SOME SIMPLE TRUTHS

Fear of retaliation Lowered thresholds Rationalization Avoidance Euphemis ms Conflicting goals

LEADERS FACE A CHALLENGE My organization's senior leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. (Q 54) 56% Agree

GREAT MOMENTS ARE BORN FROM GREAT OPPORTUNITIES. ~ HERB BROOKS, U. S. OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM COACH

Lead by Example “How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18, 000 people boo? ” ~ Jacques Plante, NHL Goalie

Model Ethical Behavior Hint: It’s Required.

Hold managers and supervisors accountable for ethical behavior.

Ethical Behavior and Employees: Empowerment and Accountability