Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
LEAD Class 2014
Ethical Management
Tom O’Rourke, CPRP Executive Director Charleston County
Park and Recreation Commission
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
What does “ethics” mean to you?
Definition: The principles of conduct governing an individual or group; concerns for what is right or wrong, good or bad.
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Some Questions?
• Can an Unethical Person become Ethical? • Can you “Teach” Ethics? • Could a person not know if a situation is unethical?
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Ethical Warm Up Discussion
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
• 1. Using your department issued Smart Phone to update your Fantasy League Roster.
• 2. Eliminating a great interviewed candidate after you see some things on their personal FACEBOOK page that you may not like.
• 3. Meeting people that work directly for you after work for “many” beers. • 4. Creating two purchase orders so you don’t have to go out for formal bids. • 5. Rewarding staff differently • 6. Willfully disregarding a policy that you don’t agree with, knowing you will
never get caught. • 7. Saying you are leaving the office for a meeting when you really are running
a personal errand • 8. Using the Agency Fax machine to Fax documents for your closing on your
home to your attorney. • 9. Using the Agency Digital Camera to take Vacation Pictures. • 10. Using the Agency pick up truck to pull your personal boat to the landing • 11. Accepting tickets to the Clemson vs. Carolina game from a vendor that
wants your business.
Ethical Violation or Not!
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
What do you think?
Should Public Park and Recreation Department employees be held to a higher professional standard than those in the private sector?
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
What guides you when making ethical decisions?
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Solving Ethical Dilemmas
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
*Ask Yourself These Questions
• Is it legal? • Does it comply with our rules and regulations? • Does it fit our organizational values? • Would I be guilt free if I do it? • Would I do it to a friend or family member? • Would I be perfectly OK if it happened to me?
* Bill O’Rourke, VP Alcoa
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
A Suggested Approach to Solving Ethical Dilemmas
1. Gather the facts
2. Define the ethical issues
3. Identify the affected parties
4. Identify the consequences
5. Identify the obligations
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Suggested Approach
6. Consider character and integrity
7. Think creatively about potential resolutions
8. Check your gut
9. Act
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
“The New York Times Test”
How will it look in the newspaper?
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
More Scenarios
Using the Suggested Approach, outline the steps of your ethical
dilemma and decide on the action you will
take.
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Proactive Behaviors
You have to protect your employees from themselves. Don’t create rules that will force them to cover up or be
unethical.
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Creating an Ethical Environment
• Periodic discussions with employees • Policies and procedures in place • Code of Ethics in place • Rotation of assignments • Education and training • Build the “right” culture • Values management • Reward based on ethical behavior
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Summary
• Be fair to all concerned • Walk the talk • If in doubt, seek advice • Tell the truth • Let others know the rules • If it looks wrong or feels wrong, don’t do it
• Be outspoken and quick when you spot potential ethical violations
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
The End www.ccprc.com/orourke