The Staff
Code of Conduct
ACS Roundtable Forum
Presented by Elle Ackland
Friday 17 August 2012
Agenda
• What is a Staff Code of Conduct?
• Who does it apply to?
• Terms to include
• Terms not to include
• Practical tips – how to inform.
• Distinguishing and understanding the
difference between performance and
conduct
What, Who
1. What is a Staff Code of Conduct?
2. Who does it apply to?
(Please contact Elle or Nick for a template)
Include terms on..
 Duty of care
 Reporting requirements
 Work Health & Safety
 Student supervision
 Social media
 Behaviour
 Drugs
 Alcohol and Tobacco
 Dress codes
 Conflict of interest
 Declaring gifts
 Communication
 Privacy
 Record keeping
 Copyright
 Intellectual property
Terms not to include
discriminatory or less favourable
treatment
Terms that are not inherently required
for the employee to undertake their role
Practical tips – how to inform
• Introduction of code and requirements
• Copy of code provided to all employees
• Regularly ‘reminding’ staff on various topics
– As a safety/policy share at the start of a
staff meeting
– Special project for staff to present at
events
• Record
Distinguishing between
Performance and Conduct
How can we identify the difference?
1. Performance
2. Conduct
Performance
When relating discipline to performance follow
the 3 golden rules:
1. Document
2. Document
3. Document
All discipline processes are subject to:
– natural justice
– procedural fairness
– assessment of whether ‘harsh, unjust or
unreasonable’.
Conduct
When relating discipline to conduct follow the 3
golden rules:
1. Inform and record
2. Inform and record
3. Inform and record
All conduct issues are subject to employer having
demonstrated (proven) that employee had
expectations clearly outlined and recorded.
– This can be done by informing and regularly
‘reminding’ employees of the requirements of
the code of conduct.
Case Study
Questions