Our Code of Ethics and Conduct is required reading for everyone upon joining DCS, including Service NSW employees. It is the essential guidance for who we are and how we work. Show
Each year, we ask our employees to make a declaration to ensure everyone understands and is up to date with the Code. Why we need a CodeWe are all responsible for our own actions. This Code identifies standards of behaviour and direction for all employees and anyone performing work for DCS no matter where or how we are working. It supports us to ask, ‘What is the right thing to do?’ and then to do it. The Code is a practical guide, setting out public sector expectations and your responsibilities and provides crucial information for your day-to-day work. It is consistent with the values of integrity, trust, service and accountability detailed in Part 2 of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (GSE Act) which establishes an ethical framework for a merit-based, apolitical and professional government sector. Are your actions consistent with the ethical framework? Do a quick assessment by answering these questions:
Seek advice from your Leader or appropriate senior colleague if you are unsure about how to implement these values in your role. Our Statement of Business Ethics provides the ethical standards that apply to our vendors/suppliers and business partners. The Statement sets out the service principles that guide you in all your interactions with customers, whether internal or external. Please read this statement alongside our Customer Commitments:
Why we must act in the public interestAs a public sector employee, you must always act in the public interest. In other words, you are accountable to the public for your actions. This means you need to treat everyone you have contact with in your work, including colleagues, equally without prejudice or favour, and with honesty, consistency and impartiality. You also need to:
Who must comply with this Code?Everyone working for DCS must comply with this Code. The Code applies whenever you are representing DCS, whether in your daily work, or during work-related activities such as conferences, functions, travelling for work or participating in training activities. It also applies wherever you are working – from home, in another office, in the field or based in one DCS site – or how you are working – on the phone, Skype, using Teams or digital tools to communicate with colleagues or customers. In certain circumstances, the Code may also apply to your activities outside of work, where there is a connection to your role. Specifically, this Code applies to:
My ethical responsibilitiesWe must all work ethically. To work ethically means you must:
In addition to the above responsibilities, all Leaders and SEB 1 and above level employees must also:
In addition to the above responsibilities, the Secretary and Heads of Agencies, including Chief Executive Officers, Chief Executives and Managing Directors, have responsibilities to:
My professional responsibilitiesAt work, we all expect a high standard of professionalism. To support this, you must:
What else does this Code cover?This Code covers all aspects of our work. The next section provides information that will help you comply with the Code, understand our processes and find further information. Managing workplace conflictWe all have a responsibility to contribute to a harmonious workplace. Sometimes though, there will be workplace tension. Our Positive and Productive Workplace Policy provides information on the steps you can take to resolve conflict with colleagues. Remember, it is not always necessary to begin the grievance process to resolve matters. Speak to your Leader, refer to the DCS intranet for resources and information, and contact your HR Business partner if you need to. Intellectual property and copyrightThe copyright of material created by any of us in the course of our work belongs to DCS, even if the material was developed in our own time or at home. You must:
Conflicts of interestIt is not necessarily wrong or unethical to have a conflict of interest. What is important is that the conflict of interest is identified, declared and managed appropriately. Outside of work, you have the right to participate in political and community activities and to pursue personal interests, provided that:
There are three different types of conflicts of interests that you need to understand:
All three types of conflicts of interest are serious and you need to declare and manage any interests that may present a conflict for you. You may have complex conflicts of interest because of where you live and/or the nature of your current job, previous jobs or associations, and/or work situations where you deal with people you know outside of work. Speak with your Leader about your personal circumstances and ensure that all actual, potential or perceived conflicts are disclosed and managed appropriately. Our mandatory conflicts of interest training includes scenarios that will help you determine if you have any conflicts of interest and how to manage them. You must:
How I report behaviour that breaches the CodeAt any point during your work, or even outside of your work, you may observe, become aware of or suspect another employee is acting contrary to this Code and/or other departmental policies and/or the sector’s ethical values. It is your responsibility to raise the employee’s behaviour with your immediate Manager or Leader or report your concerns to the Chief Audit and Risk Officer or any member of the DCS Executive. If you know of behaviour that breaches this Code and choose not to report it, you may come under suspicion yourself. Protecting yourself when reporting suspected breachesWhen you voluntarily report or disclose matters that you consider to be fraudulent or corrupt, you are protected by the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994. Under the Act, it is both a criminal offence and misconduct to make reprisals against an employee who makes a public interest disclosure. To be protected under the Act, you must make your report as follows:
If you are unsure about whether you should report a situation or activity or which agency is best to disclose to, speak with our Chief Audit and Risk Officer. Consequences of breaching the CodeAll breaches of this Code and/or any conduct that is contrary to the government sector core values will be dealt with appropriately. If you are found to have breached this Code, an authorised public service agency executive (such as the Secretary, a Deputy Secretary or an Executive Director) may take the following actions:
Further guidanceThis Code builds on the Public Service Commission’s Code of Ethics and Conduct for NSW Government employees and is tailored to DCS operations. The NSW Public Service Commission (PSC) provides many resources for public service employees including Behaving ethically: A guide for NSW government sector employees. You can also seek assistance from the Department’s People & Culture team through your relevant HR business partner. Document control
This policy will be reviewed in June 2022. |