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Ethics in Public Service
Washington State University 9/28/18
What is Ethics in Public Service?
Doing the right thing…Using resources correctlyMorals…principles…
Code as set forth in the law
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Executive Ethics Board
Interpret Ethics ActPublish Advisory OpinionsProvide TrainingAdjudicate complaints
Board jurisdictionand
Case Sanctions
Complaints and Investigations
– Public
– Agency
– Whistleblower investigations
– Co‐worker
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What causes unethical behavior?
Lack of Training and Understanding of the law.
TRENDS
Conflict of Interest ?
Conflicts of interest involve the concepts of Benefit and Bias.
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Test Your KnowledgeYou know that your agency will be surplusingsome computer equipment next month. Youand a friend run a small business and yourfriend asked that you let him know when theequipment is to be surplused and available forbid. The general public will be informed of theof the surplused property next week giventhem only two days to determine if they wantto bid on the property. You have lunch withyour friend and business partner today andgive him the list of equipment. Is this aviolation?
Test Your Knowledge
You are A Professor in the MechanicalEngineering Department at WSU. You alsoown a automotive repair shop. During thesummer, your auto repair business gets verybusy and you need to hire extra help to get thework done. Several students from your currentsummer class want to work part‐time for you.
Can you hire your students?
Conflicts of Interest
You cannot: ◦ Have direct or indirect financial interest◦ Engage in a business or transaction or professional activity ◦ Incur any obligation
With anyone you regulate or contract with
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Types of Conflict
Private business transactions
Volunteer activitiesProfessional conflicts
Financial interest in a transaction
You cannot: ◦ Have direct or indirect financial interest◦ Engage in a business or transaction or professional activity ◦ Incur any obligation
With anyone you regulate or contract with
How to handle a conflict Abstain
Disclose
ProceduresScreening Memo
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Confidential information
Personal Information
Banking accounting #’s
Investigative Records
Trade Secrets
Test/interview questions
Use of State
Resources
RCW 42.52.160(1) – Use of persons, money, or property for private gain, states:
No state officer or state employee may employ or use any person, money, or property under the officer’s or employee’s official control or direction, or in his or her official custody, for the private benefit or gain of the officer, employee, or another.
Test Your Knowledge
One of your employees sells Pampered Chiefproducts on the side to coworker. Theemployee hands out catalogues in the workplace, and takes and distributes orders duringthe lunch hour and during break times.
Is this a violation?
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Test Your Knowledge
You are A Professor in the MechanicalEngineering Department. You also own aautomotive repair shop. During the course ofyour work day you log on to your repair shopswebsite and respond to a few of yourcustomers complaints. The response onlytakes a few minutes of times and does notinterfere with the normal performance of youjob?Is this an ethics violation?
What exactly is a “Private Benefit or Gain”?
• Can range from avoiding a cost or expense by the use to using resources to support your outside business or paying a discounted government rate for a personal phone call.
• There are some uses that do not appear to have a cost but may result in private benefit or gain.
What about de minimis
use?
• Little or no cost to the state
• No interference with official duties
• Any use is brief
• Does not compromise the security or integrity of state property, information , or software.
• Any use occurs infrequently
• Does not support an outside private business
• Not done to support an outside organization
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No use for political campaigns or lobbying
Test Your Knowledge
You work in the Provost office and havedecided to run for a local office. During yourlunch break at work, you send your workfriends a quick e‐mail to announce yourcandidacy and to let them know how they canhelp you. You only send three e‐mails andnone of them talk about the specific politicalissues .
Would this be a violation?
Parking
FacilitiesComputer Tech
Special Privileges RCW 42.52.070
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How do you receive a special privilege?
Discount Criteria
• Broad‐based
• Occupational group
• Employee group
Can be anything of economical value, i.e., Gift, Gratuity, or Favor
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Are you a “Section 4” employee?
Are you employed by a regulatory agency or an agency that seeks to acquire goods or services?
Does your agency regulate or contract with the person giving the gift?
Did you participate in the regulatory or contractual matters with that person?
Section 4 employees can ONLY accept:
Section 4 employees may NOT accept
Flowers Travel expenses
Food & beverages
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$50 Rule
Items from your familyGifts between state workers
Token of appreciations, wall plaque or desk items.
Food at a hosted receptionPromotional items
EXCEPTIONS
What do I do?
Do not accept the gift Return to Sender Donate to Charity Contact ethics advisor
Compensation for official duties
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Stop and thinkWill my use result in added costs or other disadvantages to the state?
Am I using this resource in order to avoid personal expense?
Will my use compromise the security or integrity of state information?
Will my use embarrass me or my agency if reported publicly?
Executive Ethics Board Staff Contact Information
Kate ReynoldsExecutive Director (360) 586‐[email protected]
Ruthann BryantAdministrative Officer(360) 586‐[email protected]
David KilleenSenior Investigator (360) 586‐1811 [email protected]
Executive Ethics Board Phone: (360) 664‐0871 E‐mail: [email protected]
Bobby FryeInvestigator(360) 956‐[email protected]
Questions
