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Health and Social Care Professionals Council
An Chomhairle un Ghairmithe Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialaigh
COUNCIL AND REGISTRATION BOARDS
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
AND
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND INTERNET USAGE
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
Introduction
(In this document “members” refers to members of the Health and Social Care
Professionals Council or members of Professional specific Registration Boards)
The objective of the Council is to ensure that the highest possible standards of integrity
are maintained. This document sets out guidelines to be followed in this regard.
Guidelines are formulated to reflect obligations falling on Council and Registration Boards’
members and employees in their deposition of public duties, and in a spirit of explicitly
specifying CORU’s position for all concerned.
This code sets out the Council’s expectations of its Council and Registration Board
members and employees. As a regulator, the Council sets standards for the conduct,
performance and ethics of health and social care professionals on the Council’s registers.
The Council therefore also feels that it is important that Council and Registration Board
members and employees maintain high standards in their role, and that these standards
are made public.
Some members of the Council’s statutory Committees or the Registration Board sub
committees may not be members of the Council or Registration Boards but will have been
appointed to those committees in order to meet specific statutory requirements or to
provide particular expertise.
Those members are appointed on the basis of separate written agreements with the
Council or Registration Boards, but are also expected to adhere to the provisions of the
Code of Conduct to the extent that they apply to such members and do not conflict with
their written terms of engagement.
This code of conduct particularly applies to Council and Registration Board members and
employees whenever they take part in Council business, or whenever they represent the
Council.
Council and Registration Board members should also bear in mind that due to the high
profile manner of their role, even when they consider themselves to be working in a private
capacity, or for another organisation, they may still be viewed as a representative of, or an
ambassador for CORU. They should therefore still be mindful of this code.
In addition, a Council or Registration Board member or employees whose actions in
another role or in private capacity were such that their role as a Council or Registration
Board member or employee was undermined or public or registrant faith in CORU was
compromised could have their actions judged against this Code of Conduct, and action
taken accordingly.
1. General guidelines
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
Council and Registration Boards and employees should at all times:
Act in good faith;
Act in accordance with the Council and Registration Boards’ objective of protecting
the public;
Take personal responsibility for ensuring that they keep to the code of conduct;
and
Treat others equally, fairly, and with respect.
2. Confidentiality
Most information to which Council or Registration Board members and employees have
access as part of their role will be in the public domain. However, there will be times when
they may have access to information that is confidential. This may include papers from
private sections of Council, Registration Board or Committee meetings, information from
panel hearings or information relating to Council employees.
Council and Registration Board members and employees should not disclose any
confidential information which they have been given because of their role as a Council or
Registration Board member or employee, other than for a proper purpose or if they are
required to do so by law. Council members should take appropriate steps to ensure that
confidential papers are stored securely. Members should contact the Chief Executive
Officer if the status of any information is unclear.
If a Council or a Registration Board member or employee becomes aware of a breach in
confidentiality, they must immediately notify the Chief Executive Officer or the
Chairperson.
3. Attending meetings
Council members should endeavour to attend all Council meetings; Registration Board
members should endeavour to attend all Registration Board meetings and any meetings of
committee of which they are a member.
There may be circumstances in which members are unable to attend a meeting, in which
case they should send their apologies as soon as possible to the Secretary of the Council
or Registration Board or the relevant Committee.
Where a member is unable to fulfil their role over a prolonged period, they will be asked to
discuss their position with the Chairperson.
Members’ attendance will form part of the members’ annual performance review and
particular consideration will be given to meetings where a member has not attended and
has not given notice of their absence.
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4. Council, Registration Board and employees’ annual performance review
All members and employees must participate in the annual performance review system,
and follow the agreed procedure.
5. Register of members’ interests
All members must complete a declaration of members’ conflicting interests and thereafter
take professional responsibility for ensuring that it is kept up to date.
All members of Council, Registration Boards and employees must avoid accepting gifts,
hospitality or benefits which could be construed as an attempt to gain influence or favour.
Where Gifts, hospitality or benefits are offered as a consequence of Council business and
do not contravene the above, these must be registered with the Chief Executive Officer
within a reasonable period of time, usually within 1 month.
6. Conflicts of interest
Specific requirements for the disclosure of interests of members of Council,
Registration Boards or Committees are set out in section 15 of the Act.
The procedure is as follows (underlined terms defined below):
Any member present at a meeting where a specified matter arises who has a
material interest in that matter shall—
at the meeting disclose to the Council, Registration Boards or Committee the
nature of that interest,
withdraw from the meeting for as long as the matter is being discussed or
considered,
take no part in any deliberation of the members relating to the matter, and
refrain from voting on any decision relating to the matter.
If a member discloses a material interest under this section the disclosure shall be
recorded in the minutes of the meeting concerned and for as long as the matter to
which the disclosure relates is being dealt with by the meeting, the member shall not
be counted in the quorum for the meeting.
A procedure is also set out in Section 15 in relation to how to determine whether a
conflict exists.
“material interest”
“meeting”
“member”
“specified matter”
is to be construed in accordance with section 2(3) of the Ethics
in Public Office Act 1995;
means a meeting of the Council, Registration Board or of
sub-committees
means a member of the Council, Registration Board or of
sub-committees
means:
An arrangement to which the Council and/or the
Registration Board is a party or a proposed such
arrangement, or
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
A contract or other agreement with the Council and/or the
Registration Board or a proposed such contract or other
agreement.
7. Health and Social Care Professionals Council employees
The Council employees carry out the functions of the Council, under the strategic direction
of the Council. Council members may be asked to sit on selection panels for certain
posts, or to consider papers that are presented to meetings on employment issues, but will
not take any other part of employment matters.
All employees are responsible to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer
is appointed by the Council and managed by the Chairperson of Council.
Council or Registration Board members may wish to comment positively on the work done
by employees. This can be done formally, for example by asking a Committee to make a
note of their thanks to a particular person or group, or by speaking to the employee’s
manager or to the Chief Executive Officer, or more informally, directly to the employee.
However, any Council or Registration Board member with concerns about the behaviour or
performance of an employee should always raise these concerns with the Chief Executive
Officer, who will deal with the issue in accordance with HR policies.
If a Council or Registration Board member or employee has concerns about the Chief
Executive Officer, these should be raised with the Chairperson.
8. Breach of the Code
Any minor breach of this Code of Conduct will be dealt with in the first instance informally,
for example by the chairman of a Committee or another Council member drawing the
breach to the Council member’s attention during a meeting or similar.
If a Council member is concerned that another Council member may be in breach of this
Code of Conduct, they should raise their concerns with the Chairperson.
However, where there is evidence of a deliberate, serious or continued breach of this code
of conduct, this will be taken up by the Chairperson, in a special convened meeting if
appropriate.
Any minor breach of this Code of Conduct will be dealt with in the first instance informally,
for example by the chairman of a Committee or another Registration Board member
drawing the breach to the member’s attention during a meeting or similar.
If a Registration Board member is concerned that another Registration Board member
may be in breach of this Code of Conduct, they should raise their concerns with the
Chairperson.
However, where there is evidence of a deliberate, serious or continued breach of this code
of conduct, this will be taken up by the Chairperson, in a special convened meeting if
appropriate.
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CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
If an employee breaches the Code of Conduct, this will be dealt with in the first instance
informally by the Chief Executive Officer. If an employee is concerned that another
employee may be in breach of this code, they should raise their concerns with the Chief
Executive Officer.
However where there is evidence of deliberate, serious or continued breach of this Code
of Conduct, this will be taken up by the Chief Executive Officer in an appropriate manner
and in accordance with HR policies.
9. Removal of a Council Member from office
A Council member may be removed from office as provided in Section 24 and/or Schedule
1 Section 5 of the Act.
10. Removal of a Registration Board Member from office
A Registration Board member may be removed from office as provided in Section 34
and/or Schedule 2 Section 5 of the Act.
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Disclosure Provisions / Statements of Interests
Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 & 2001 (the Ethics Acts)
Informing Council and Registration Boards’ Members and Employees of
Council of Obligations under Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001
1. Who does the Ethics Acts apply to?
The Ethics Acts apply to designated directors and designated employees of Council
and of the Social Workers Registration Board (“SWRB”) and the Radiographers
Registration Board (RRB)
Designated Directors
S.I. No. 645 of 2010 Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated
Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies)
(Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2010 which came into effect on 1 January 2011
lists the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, the Social Workers
Registration Board and the Radiographers Registration Board as public bodies which
come under the Ethics Acts.
The Guidelines on Compliance with the Provisions of the Ethics on Public Office Acts
1995 and 2001, Public Servants (Ninth Edition), November 2011 (“2011 Guidelines”).
The Guidelines provide information on the steps that public servants who are
covered by the Ethics Acts need to take in order to comply with the requirements of
the legislation. The 2011 Guidelines state that the designated directorships of the
SWRB and Council are:
- Members of the SWRB and the chair of the SWRB; and
- Council members and the chair of Council.
Designated Positions of Employment
The 2011 Guidelines list the designated positions of employment for the Council to
be the Chief Executive Officer, and all other positions prescribed by regulation 5 of
S.I. No. 699 of 2001. S.I. No. 699 provides that every position in the Council in
respect of which the maximum salary if not less than the maximum salary if a
principle (general service grade, Class B PRSI) in the Civil Service is prescribed for
the purpose of the definition of “designated position”, regardless of whether it is
specifically listed in the Schedule. The maximum salary of the principle officer is
currently €92,672 (with effect from 1 January 2010).
Therefore the Council Chairperson, Council members, SWRB Chairperson, SWRB
members and the Chief Executive Officer are obliged to comply with the Ethics Acts.
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2. What are the requirements under the Ethics Acts?
Designated directors and designated employees are required to furnish statements of
interests for the period of 1 January to 31 December no later than 31 January of
every year. Forms for statements of interests by designated directors and
designated employees are available from the Standards in Public Office Commission
website www.sipo.gov.ie.
The Council Chairperson, Council members, SWRB and RRB Chairperson, SWRB
and RRB members and the Chief Executive Officer are required to furnish a
statement, in writing, of:
(i)
The interests of the person, and
(ii) The interests, of whom the person has actual acknowledge, of his or her
spouse or civil partner or a child of the person or of his or her spouse.
Which would materially influence the person in, or in relation to, the performance of
the person’s official functions by reason of that fact that such performance could so
affect those interests as to confer on, or withhold from, the person, or the spouse or
civil partner or child, a substantial benefit.
3. If a Council member, Registration Board member of the CEO has no interest
to disclose do they need to complete the forms?
Yes, Council members, chairperson of the Council, Registration Boards members,
chairperson of the Registration Boards and the CEO are required to complete a
statement of nil interests for Council and the Registration Board’s records only.
Council have been advised by the Comptroller and Auditor General that, although it
is not legally required to furnish a statement of nil interests to the Standards in Public
Office Commission, Council and the Registration Board should retain member’s
statement of nil interests.
4. Which form to complete?
Annual statements of Interests
A statement of interests form should be completed where a member has interests
which could have a material influence on the performance and the functions of the
Council, the professional specific Registration Board or its members. The original
annual statements or copies of statements, with an original signature, should be
forwarded to The Standards in Public Office Commission, 18 Lower Leeson
Street, Dublin 2, and an original copy should be forwarded to the Chairperson of the
Council. Photocopies of signatures will not be accepted by the Standards in Public
Office Commission or by Council.
The CEO should provide their statement of interest to the Chairperson of the
Council only. The Chairperson of Council is the relevant authority for accepting the
CEO’s statement of interest.
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Nil statements
Where a member has no interest that could materially influence the member in, or in
relation to, the performance of his or her official functions the member should fill out a
statement of nil interests. A copy of the statement of nil interests should be
forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer of the Council only. It is not a
requirement of the Ethics Acts that a nil statement is submitted to the Standards in
Public Office Commission.
Statement of a material interest
In addition to the statement of interests, a statement is required to be completed
when an official function falls to be performed by a member and the member has any
interest and any interest held, to their actual knowledge, by a spouse or civil partner,
a child of the member, or a child of the member’s spouse, which could materially
influence the member in or in relation to the performance of the member’s official
functions.
Where there is a change in the interests of a member, or in the interests of the
member’s spouse or civil partner, a child of the member, or a child of the member’s
spouse, the member may, at any time, furnish a statement of the change, in writing,
to the person or persons nominated to receive such statements.
5. Register of Interests
The Council’s Chief Executive Officer will compile a Register of Interests, on an
annual basis, which will be managed by the Council’s Chief Executive Officer. This
register will be confidential and will record all interests declared by the Board and
Council members in their annual statements. Under section 35 of the Ethics Acts
there is a prohibition of disclosure of information obtained under the Ethics Acts. It is
an offence (under section 35) to disclose information contained in a statement
provided under the Ethics Acts.
The chairperson of the Board and SWRB may request information relating to the
statement of interests or any matter arising in connection with it from the person who
provided the statement. Where he/she considers that the provider of a statement
may have contravened the Ethics Acts, he/she may make a written compliant to the
Standards Commission.
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CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
Acknowledgement Form for Council Members and Council Employees in
Relation to Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 & SI 146 of 2008
Health and Social Care Professionals Council
An Comhairle um Ghairmithe Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialaigh
ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE ACTS 1995 AND 2001
I, ______________________________________
(Print Name Block Capitals)
acknowledge receipt of a letter relation to Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 &
2001 (the Ethics Acts) / Disclosure Provisions / Statements of Interests and
understand my obligations as a member of the Health and Social Care
Professionals Council.
Signature: _____________________________________
Date: _____________
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
Code of Business Conduct and Internet Usage
Intent and scope
This Code of Business Conduct and Internet Usage has been prepared in
compliance with the ‘Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies’. The Code
has been prepared taking account of the Companies Acts. The Companies Acts set
out general requirements for the conduct of Council and Registration Board
members. The Code also takes account of the requirements of the Ethics in Public
Office Acts, 1995 and 2001 and the Charter on Ethics in Public Procurement. The
internet policy contained within this Code was only a guideline up to 2007 but is now
incorporated in the Code of Business Conduct.
Council and Registration Board members are directors for the purposes of this Code.
Code of Business Conduct
Objectives
The objectives of the Code are
the establishment of an agreed set of ethical principles for directors and staff;
the promotion and maintenance of confidence and trust; and
the prevention of development or acceptance of unethical practices.
General Principles
It is acknowledged that it is not possible to have a set of rules to deal
comprehensively with all possible situations that may arise. However, at all times,
directors and staff are expected to ensure that all of their activities are governed by
the ethical standards reflected in the Code.
Integrity
It is expected that, at all times, there will be adherence to the following principles:
disclosure by members of outside employment/business interests in conflict or in
potential conflict with the business of the Council and Registration Boards;
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management and employees should not be allowed to be involved in outside
employment/business interests in conflict or in potential conflict with the business
of the Council;
avoidance of the giving or receiving of corporate gifts, hospitality, preferential
treatment or benefits that might affect or appear to affect the ability of the donor
or the recipient to make independent judgement on business transactions. The
only exception to this would be the acceptance of minor tokens of appreciations
such as flowers, chocolates etc. In case of doubt a staff member should consult
with the CEO or Chairperson;
commitment to compete vigorously and energetically but also ethically and
honestly;
conduct of purchasing activities of goods/services in accordance with best
business practice;
ensuring that the body’s accounts/reports accurately reflect its business
performance and are not misleading or designed to be misleading;
avoidance of use of the Council’s resources or time for personal gain, for the
benefit of persons/organisations unconnected with the body or its activities or for
the benefit of competitors; and
commitment not to acquire information or business secrets by improper means.
Information
It is expected that, at all times, there will be:
support by members, management and employees of a Council and Registration
Boards for the provision of access by the body to general information relating to
the body’s activities in a way that is open and enhances its accountability to the
general public;
respect for the confidentiality of sensitive information held by the Council and
Registration Boards. This would constitute material such as:
o
commercially sensitive information (including, but not limited to, future
plans or details of major organisational or other changes such as
restructuring);
o
personal information;
o
regulatory information except as provided for by law and
o
information received in confidence by the public body.
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observation of appropriate prior consultation procedures with third parties where,
exceptionally, it is proposed to release sensitive information in the public interest;
compliance with relevant statutory provisions (e.g. data protection legislation, the
Freedom of Information Act, 1997 & 2003).
Obligations
Individuals to whom this Code applies are required to
fulfil all regulatory and statutory obligations imposed on the Council and
Registration Boards;
comply with detailed tendering and purchasing procedures, as well as comply
with prescribed levels of authority for sanctioning any relevant expenditure;
introduce and comply with controls to prevent fraud including adequate controls
to ensure compliance with prescribed procedures in relation to claiming of
expenses for business travel.
Members should use their reasonable endeavours to attend all Council/Board
meetings; and
given that acceptance of positions following employment and/or engagement by a
Council and Registration Boards can give rise to the potential for conflicts of
interest and to confidentiality concerns, Council/ Board of a State body should,
therefore, in a manner most effective to such body, deal with the issue of post
resignation/retirement employment, appointment and/or consultancy of its
members and employees by the private sector and should ensure that any
procedures that it may have put in place in this regard are monitored and
enforced.
Loyalty
Individuals must:
acknowledge the responsibility to be loyal to the Council and Registration Boards
and fully committed in all its business activities while mindful that the organisation
itself must at all times take into account the interests of the owner(s); and
acknowledge the duty of all to conform to highest standards of business ethics.
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Fairness
Individuals and the Council and Registration Boards must ensure:
compliance with employment equality and equal status legislation;
commitment to fairness in all business dealings; and
that they value regulated professionals and treat all regulated professionals
equally.
that they value members of the public and treat all members of the public equally
Work/External Environment
The Council and Registration Councils must:
place highest priority on promoting and preserving the health and safety of
employees;
ensure that community concerns are fully considered; and
minimise any detrimental impact of the operations on the environment.
Responsibility
The Council and Registration Boards must ensure:
circulation of this Code of Business Conduct and a policy document on disclosure
of interests to all members, management and employees for their retention;
request recipients acknowledge receipt and understanding of same; and
preparation of an explanatory booklet providing practical guidance and direction
on such areas as gifts and entertainment and on other ethical considerations
which arise routinely.
Internet Usage
The IT and communications system ("the system") of the Council are intended for
activities that either support the business of the Council and/or the professional
development of staff. Use of the system is to assist staff to achieve stated goals and
business objectives.
Misuse of IT and communications systems could seriously damage the business and
reputation of the Council and could even give rise to legal liability on the part of the
Council. Therefore, all employees and anyone to whom this Code applies have an
obligation to guard against such misuse.
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Scope
This Code is intended to deal with the use (and misuse) of computer equipment,
email and internet and must be adhered to by all individuals working for the Council,
including officers, directors, employees, contractors, agency staff and volunteers
(known together throughout this Code as "staff").
Every individual to whom this Code applies has a responsibility to ensure that all
communication through the Council's system and all internet use is appropriate and
is conducted in a professional, ethical and lawful manner. Employees and all those
to whom this Code applies must be mindful that Council equipment and facilities are
for Council use only.
Use of the Internet
Access to the internet should be limited to matters that are relevant to the work of the
Council. The following guidelines should be observed and adhered to when
individuals to whom this Code applies use the Council's IT and communications
system.
Personal Usage
Private internet use during business hours should be seen in the same light as
private telephone calls, which are permitted provided they are brief and do not
interfere with the performance of an individual’s duties. Personal internet use is a
privilege and not a right and the Council reserves the right to withdraw that privilege
at any time.
Downloading of excessive amounts of documentation from the internet by an
employee is not permitted unless the material is to be used for purposes directly
related to the work of the Council.
The Council does not allow employees to
participate in news groups, chat rooms or bulletin boards unless their work requires
it.
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Inappropriate Usage
Individuals to whom this Code applies are strictly prohibited from downloading,
copying, displaying or transmitting obscene, offensive or pornographic material. It
should be noted that accessing such material could be illegal and could amount to a
criminal offence and render the individual and/or the Council liable to prosecution.
Individuals to whom this Code applies should not access material which, while legal,
is in poor taste or could be deemed to be offensive to others, including colleagues. It
should be noted that accessing such material could expose the individual and the
Council to complaints of harassment, including sexual harassment.
To prevent computer viruses being transmitted through the system, caution should
always be exercised in downloading files from the internet.
E-mail Usage
While email is important in the normal conduct of business, it also carries
considerable risk when used inappropriately.
Employees should use email as they would use any official organisational
communication tool. This means that when an email is sent, both the sender and
receiver should ensure that the communication complies with normal communication
guidelines.
No communication sent via the Council’s email system should be
unethical, be perceived to be a conflict of interest, potentially jeopardise the Council’s
performance of its functions or contain confidential information.
All intellectual property rights in documents generated on the organisation’s systems
and documents sent via our email system rest with the Council. If there is a personal
element to the email, the email nonetheless belongs to the Council and will be open
to such monitoring and dealings as are appropriate within the organisation.
Inappropriate usage may involve the following but this is not an exhaustive list.
Sending trivial messages, chain messages or copying messages to those who do
not need to see them thereby causing email congestion.
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Files downloaded as attachments may be subject to Copyright. Making use of
material (e.g. software) acquired in this way, or forwarding it to others, may leave
the Council and the individual liable to legal action. Software (e.g. screensavers,
games or utilities) should never be downloaded, installed or used without
permission.
Emails may not contain statements or content that are libellous, judgmental,
offensive, harassing, illegal, derogatory or discriminatory.
No commercial messages, or messages of a religious or political nature are to be
distributed using email.
Email messages may not contain content that may be considered offensive,
abusive or disruptive. Offensive content includes but is not limited to obscene or
harassing language or images, racial, ethnic, sexual or gender specific comments
or images that would offend someone on the basis of their religious or political
beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or age.
It should be noted that email messages may be disclosed in legal proceedings in the
same way as paper documents. Deletion from a user's inbox or archive does not
mean that the email cannot be recovered for the purposes of disclosure. All email
messages should be treated as potentially retrievable.
3. Social Media
Social media is the collective term referring to social and professional networking
sites, blogs, wikis, boards and other similar online sites. This Code extends to all
such sites.
This Code applies to the use of social media for both business and personal
purposes, whether during office hours or otherwise. This Code applies in its entirety
regardless of whether social media is accessed using the Council's IT and
communications system.
All individuals to whom this Code applies must adhere to the following rules when
using social media:
You are personally responsible for what you post or publish on social media sites.
Where use of social media breaches any Council policy, breaches any obligation
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of confidentiality or brings the Council into disrepute, you may face disciplinary
action up to and including dismissal.
Be aware of data protection rules. You must not post another individual’s details
or pictures without their specific permission.
Photographs of, or information about, any Council or work related event or activity
should not be posted online.
Staff must not provide or use their Council password in response to any internet
request for a password.
Be respectful at all times, in both the content and tone of what you say. Show
respect to your audience, your colleagues, stakeholders, regulated professionals,
members of the public and suppliers.
Staff are strictly prohibited from posting or publishing any comments or content
relating to the Council or its employees which would be seen as unacceptable in
the workplace or in conflict with the Council’s policies.
Once in the public domain, content cannot be retracted. Therefore, always take
time to review your content in an objective manner before uploading.
It is very important that staff immediately report any inappropriate activity or
behaviour regarding the Council, its employees or third parties.
Inform your
supervisor or another member of management. All allegations made in good faith
will be fully investigated. You are required to cooperate with all investigations of
alleged policy violations.
This Code extends to future developments in internet capability and social media
usage.
In addition to the above rules, there are a number of guiding principles that
individuals should note when using social media tools:
Always remember on-line content is never completely private
Regularly review your privacy settings on social media platforms to ensure they
provide you with sufficient personal protection and limit access by others
Consider all online information with caution as there is no quality control process
on the internet and a considerable amount of information may be inaccurate or
misleading
At all times respect copyright and intellectual property rights of information you
encounter on the internet. This may require obtaining appropriate permission to
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make use of the information. You must always give proper credit to the source of
the information used.
Always be aware that most internet traffic is not private and may be intercepted at
several points in the transmission network, outside or inside the Council.
Breach of this Code
Any breach of the provisions of this Code will be treated seriously and may result in
the taking of disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal.
Review
The Council will review the Code of Business Conduct at intervals as appropriate.
Declaration
I have read and understood the Code of Business Conduct and Internet Usage for
directors and staff. I agree to adhere to the principles and guidelines set out in this
Code in any dealings I may have with or on behalf of the Council.
Signed
__________________________
Date
__________________________