Code of Conduct
Jewish House Code of Conduct and Ethics
Jewish House Code of Conduct and Ethics is to be observed by all Directors, employees, consultants and any other person when they represent Jewish House.
The Jewish House Code of Conduct and Ethics deals with compliance in the following areas of conduct:
Compliance with Laws, Regulations and Ethical Standards.
Conflicts of Interest.
Accounting Records.
Retention of Records.
Dealing with Auditors.
Use of Confidential Information.
Law Compliance Policy.
Whistle blower Policy.
Privacy Policy.
Treating People with Respect.
Equal Employment Opportunity.
NDIS Code of Conduct
Jewish House adheres to the NDIS Codes of Conduct for providers and workers.
Staff, students and volunteers are required to observe the NDIS Code of Conduct.
The NDIS Code of Conduct requires workers and providers delivering NDIS supports to:
act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with relevant laws and conventions
respect the privacy of people with disability
provide supports and services in a safe and competent manner with care and skill
act with integrity, honesty, and transparency
promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability
take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse of people with disability
take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
Supervising staff are encouraged to ensure that all staff, volunteers and students under their supervision achieve the highest possible standards of conduct.
In determining whether a person's conduct is in breach of this Code, a range of factors, including the nature of the conduct and the circumstances in which the conduct takes place, will be considered.
Guiding principles for the Code of Conduct:
RESPECT - for people and the law
INTEGRITY - all actions are honest and ethical
ACCOUNTABILITY – decisions and actions in all areas of service delivery are transparent, fair and legal
DILIGENCE – staff, volunteers and students carry out their duties honestly and to the best of their ability.
RESPECT
Staff, volunteers and students will carry out their duties with respect for clients, staff, the organisation and its work. Individuals will refrain from public comments that portray the organisation and/or its work in a negative way.
Respect for the law: Staff, volunteers and students will observe all the laws of the State and the Commonwealth.
Staff and volunteers must immediately inform the CEO if charged with a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment, or if found guilty of the offence and the outcome would significantly affect their ability to perform their normal duties.
Respect for persons: Jewish House will strive to create an environment where all persons are treated equitably and with respect and where people's rights are upheld. This involves individual and collective responsibilities to:
respect the rights, privacy and confidentiality of clients, staff, office bearers, volunteers, students and agents;
promote a positive public image of people with a disability, and their families and carers;
make decisions which are procedurally fair;
have respect for the opinions of others and approach any differences in opinion in an open and non-judgmental manner;
Staff, volunteers and students should recognise that their obligation to respect the rights and privacy of all persons associated with Jewish House continues after they cease employment with Jewish House.
Respect for persons emphasises the obligation of office bearers, staff, volunteers and students to refrain from behaviour which is or may be construed as sexual-, racial- or gender-based harassment. They should never behave towards other persons in a manner which may reasonably be perceived as intimidating, overbearing or bullying. All staff, volunteers and students must ensure that co-worker relationships are dignified and respectful at all times. (See also Equity, Anti-Discrimination and Workplace Harassment Policy and Procedure).
INTEGRITY
Staff, volunteers and students are placed in a position of trust when they manage or have access to Jewish House resources and information or make decisions that affect the interests of others.
Staff, volunteers and students will not undertake activities for personal gain while conducting business of the organisation.
People who have exited the organisation should not disclose to any future employer or use for their own purposes any confidential information, records, documents or materials they may have had access to during their involvement with Jewish House.
Staff, volunteers and students should make all reasonable efforts to avoid conflicts between their private and/or professional interests and Jewish House responsibilities and must always avoid situations where there are reasonable grounds for the perception of such a conflict.
Personal relationships: A conflict of interest may occur when a staff member or volunteer participates in decisions affecting another person with whom they have a close or personal relationship. Situations where such a conflict may occur include, but are not limited to:
the appointment, supervision or promotion of staff,
decisions being made that are of a nature to directly benefit the other person the awarding of tenders, or
other forms of financial assistance.
Jewish House recognises the right of staff and volunteers to engage in personal or intimate relationships with people of their own choosing. However, relationships between office bearers, staff and volunteers should be professional at all times. Personal or intimate relationships should not intrude, or be seen to intrude, on the Jewish House environment or the workplace in general.
When a personal or intimate relationship creates a clear conflict, the staff member should withdraw from the situation. Where there is any possibility of a perceived conflict, the staff member should discuss the matter with a senior staff member or the CEO.
Personal or intimate relationships between staff/volunteers and clients are not permitted and any deviation from this may be considered a serious breach of conduct and addressed in accordance with the Human Resources Policy.
Staff and volunteers should also refrain from unnecessary self-disclosure of personal information during their contacts with clients.
External environments: Staff or volunteers representing Jewish House in public must conduct themselves with propriety and be accountable for their conduct and decisions made on behalf of Jewish House. Where a staff member or volunteer is unsure of the capacity in which they are acting, they should seek clarification from a senior staff member.
Alcohol and illicit drug consumption: During the usual day-to-day conduct of their duties, staff and volunteers must never consume alcohol or illicit substances and must be free from the influence of any substance prior to commencement of a shift. Any deviation from this practice will be viewed as a serious breach of conduct and will be addressed in accordance with the Human Resources Policy and Procedure.
Whilst alcohol consumption may be permissible, or may be available, at certain business functions, staff and volunteers should refrain from excessive consumption of alcohol whilst representing Jewish House. Staff and volunteers are encouraged to use common sense to maintain Jewish House’s interests and professional image, as well as their own welfare.
Dress standards: Dress standards are more a matter of etiquette rather than ethics. However, staff, volunteers and students must present a professional image and maintain an appropriate standard of appearance whilst engaged in Jewish House business.
Senior staff have a responsibility to counsel staff members, volunteers and students whose dress standards do not comply with the above.
Gifts and benefits: Staff, volunteers and students must never ask for gifts, or encourage gift giving of any kind in connection with the performance of official or work duties. Personal gifts from clients must be declared and recorded in the Gift Register. Any gifts that are above a nominal value must not be accepted.
Intellectual property and copyright: The Copyright Act provides creators with certain rights. This includes the right to be named in connection with their work and against false authorship. When using someone else's work in a presentation or document, authorship should be appropriately acknowledged. Ownership of all materials produced during the course of working for Jewish House is vested in the organisation.
Compliance with laws and Jewish House’s governance
Staff and volunteers and visitors must comply with all lawful and reasonable directions given by Jewish House.
Staff and volunteers and, where applicable, visitors must comply with Jewish House’s policies and procedures at all times.
Staff and volunteers and visitors must comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes, standards, guidelines and policies that are applicable to Jewish House’s operations irrespective of location.
Company property
Jewish House property includes:
equipment, vehicles and premises;
intellectual property (including trade and business secrets) of Jewish House or affiliated entity;
information concerning staff, volunteers and any contractors that provide a service to Jewish House; and
any information of a commercial, operational, marketing, business, technical or financial nature relating to the business of Jewish House or any affiliated entity.
Staff and volunteers must only use company property for authorised and appropriate work purposes and must take all reasonable care when doing so.
On termination of employment, for whatever reason, staff and volunteers must transfer to the CEO (or delegate) all information in their possession, including all material in writing, software or databases on hard drive or any other means of storage.
If requested by the CEO (or delegate), office bearers, staff or volunteers must immediately return all Jewish House property in their possession or under their control.
Outside work behaviour
Staff and volunteers must conduct their personal affairs in a manner that does not affect their duties and responsibilities to Jewish House.
Staff and volunteers should be aware that their activities or behaviour outside working hours could damage Jewish House’s reputation. Staff and volunteers must avoid conduct outside of work that breaches this Code. If Jewish House becomes aware of such conduct, and the conduct is of a type that could have an adverse impact upon Jewish House, disciplinary or other remedial action may be taken against the worker.
ACCOUNTABILITY
All staff and volunteers have an obligation to carry out official decisions and policies faithfully and impartially.
Senior staff members have a responsibility to ensure that sufficient, accurate and appropriate information is provided to enable office bearers to make decisions that are procedurally fair, transparent and timely.
Staff and volunteers who have responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of Jewish House services will provide accurate and regular reports.
Fraud, corrupt conduct and maladministration are detrimental to Jewish House and clients. Any staff member or volunteer who reasonably suspects that this may be occurring are encouraged to speak with the CEO (or delegate) as soon as possible. Where disclosure of any of these activities occurs, the person disclosing the information will not be subjected to any acts of retribution.
Unfounded reports that are of a malicious or vengeful nature will not be pursued. Appropriate action will be taken against any person who is found to have made malicious or unsubstantiated claims.
DILIGENCE
Jewish House aims to achieve best practice in service delivery. All staff and volunteers contribute to achieving this aim by carrying out their duties honestly and to the best of their ability.
All staff and volunteers should support the Jewish House’s aims and objectives, and work within policy and procedural guidelines.
Jewish House’s equipment and resources are not available for private use or private gain and appropriate care and security of equipment should be a priority.
Jewish House’s resources, equipment and property should be used with economy and without undue waste. All equipment will be used with due care and respect and if necessary, staff and volunteers should seek guidance in the use and appropriate storage of equipment.
All staff, volunteers and students have access to appropriate technology related to their role in the organisation.
Staff, volunteers and students who are authorised to use computers are permitted to use Internet and email for purposes directly related to their duties and for educational or self-development purposes consistent with other Jewish House policies and practices.
Inappropriate use of internet and email, including viewing, downloading, storage or forwarding of materials of a pornographic or illegal nature will be considered as a serious breach of this Code of Conduct and disciplinary action up to and termination of employment will be pursued as a matter of urgency.
Reporting Breaches of the Code of Conduct
Breaches or suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct should, in the first instance, be reported to the CEO (or delegate). Trivial, unfounded or vexatious complaints may result in disciplinary action.
Any person who complies with the Code of Conduct in reporting a breach must not be discriminated against and must be protected from reprisal. Confidentiality will be maintained at the highest level possible.