Employees often look to human resource professionals, ethics officers, and supervisors for guidance on ethics-related questions. They rely on these individuals to set an example of how to behave appropriately and ethically in the workplace. Executive Ethics Board opinions and investigations detail what behavior is expected of every public servant and what violates state law. This class provides you with the opportunity to compare the common understanding of ethical conduct and the Ethics in Public Service Act that governs all public employee conduct.

Performance Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Identify the major areas covered by RCW 52.42, the Ethics in Public Service Act.
• Recognize conflicts of interest, misuse of state resources, the rules pertaining to gifts, expectations around confidentiality, honoraria, outside employment and other issues covered by the Act.
• Understand what behavior violates Washington State ethics laws and the role of agency specific policies.
• Describe what penalties may be imposed by the Executive Ethics Board for violations of the Ethics in Public Service Act.
• Avoid liability for ethics violations and know where to turn for assistance and advice before taking action that may run afoul of state ethics law.

Intended Audience: Mangers, supervisors, and human resource professionals.