Employee Code of Ethics

Introduction

FÁS staff are expected to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, customers and members of the public in a manner which reflects the core FÁS values of:

Flexibility
Professionalism
Caring
Proactive
Trustworthiness.

These core values are reflected in all FÁS employment standards, contracts of employment, financial and human resource policies, and various other procedural regulations. Staff may obtain detailed information on these procedures from either their manager or the HRD/Finance Department.

Principles to be applied in FÁS

The guiding principles, for all staff are:

Honesty
Integrity
Public accountability.

Honesty

As employees of FÁS we will ensure that our work meets the highest standards of honesty. Primarily, we will ensure that we do not benefit inappropriately from our work for FÁS and that we do not engage in any activity that is in conflict with these work duties. It will therefore be unacceptable for any staff member, including their family or friends to benefit from gifts or inducements secured as a result of their work.

Integrity

We will endeavour to work in an open, truthful, and responsible manner. Our primary objective shall be to ensure that the services provided by the organisation are delivered professionally and in accordance with the core values of the organisation. This is specifically related to the following situations:
Where we are involved in outside activities that could be perceived as being in conflict with the work of FÁS.
Where we have a beneficial interest in any entity that could benefit from dealings with FÁS. In both circumstances, we will be expected to advise our respective managers.

Public Accountability

As employees of FÁS, it is our role to ensure that FÁS responds fully to the requirements of the public as provided for in government policy. In line with our Customer Charter, we shall ensure that all customers, members of the public and colleagues are treated equally and with respect at all times. We shall also ensure that the interests of the public are considered at all times. All requests for information, service or advice shall be responded to with courtesy, sensitivity and with the minimum of delay. In all cases, we shall provide contact names to ensure that communication is conducted as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Confidentiality

During the course of our duties, all of us will ensure that any information or knowledge acquired will be treated as confidential. An exception would be where under certain circumstances we are required to disclose same as part of our work. We will never provide information secured through our work to anybody for reward. Information requests from the media will be notified to the Press and Publicity Department for advice and all responses will be agreed within that Department.

In the course of our work we will respect the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other relevant statutory instruments. Those of us who are involved in the recruitment of staff, apprentices and trainees will ensure that all information made available to us will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Honesty & Conflicts of Interest

It is acceptable that in the course of our work, we may on occasion be invited to events hosted by our business contacts. We will, however ensure that we will not accept any gifts which could be deemed inappropriate from customers, suppliers, colleagues or any person or business entity who has dealings on behalf of FÁS. The guiding principle of our conduct will be that no gift, meal, or corporate entertainment will be accepted where it could reasonably be perceived to contribute to the perception that preferential treatment could be secured from us in our capacity as FÁS employees.

The following conditions shall apply:

Meals may be accepted at a local venue but this may not include a residential stay.
A ticket for a sports or other public entertainment event at a local venue may be accepted.
Unsolicited gifts may be accepted at Christmas provided such gifts are of small value. No more than two gifts should be received from the one source in a twelve month period. Details relating to the receipt of such gifts should be notified to management.
The general principle shall be that gifts should not exceed €75 in value. This threshold will be reviewed in 2005. (Currently under review)

All of our business dealings will be based on the requirement that FÁS secures value for money.

In instances where we have relatives, spouses or partners working in FÁS or availing of FÁS services/programmes we will ensure that circumstances will not arise where there is a direct working relationship. Where we become involved in a relationship with a work colleague with whom we have a direct reporting relationship we will advise management and seek appropriate re-deployment.

Where we are developing or already involved in a private business, we will ensure that the operation of such a business does not conflict with or benefit either directly or indirectly from FÁS. In this regard, we shall ensure that FÁS is not brought into disrepute as a result of our involvement in other occupations, projects or schemes. In all cases, we shall advise management of such business interests and seek sanction to continue them. Where such sanction is refused, we shall cease our involvement with the business.

Finance & Procurement

Regulations set out in the Financial Authority Levels and Purchasing Procedures will be adhered to in all our business dealings. All employees who are involved in any aspect of purchasing on behalf of FÁS will observe the highest standards of honesty and integrity in all of their dealings. In this case, we will ensure that we:

Never use our position for personal gain or that of one of our friends/family.
Avoid placing ourselves in a position where our integrity could be compromised.
Ensure we do not become involved in any business practice that could be perceived to be in any way improper.
Familiarise ourselves with the financial controls applicable in FÁS from time to time and, in the event of any confusion, seek guidance from management or the HRD/Finance department.

Any information secured as a result of our work in purchasing goods or services on behalf of FÁS will be regarded as confidential.

At all times we shall ensure that FÁS guidelines, government directives and best practice are adhered to.

Recruitment & Promotion

All employees will be promoted solely on merit, in accordance with the procedures contained in the Recruitment and Selection procedures.

All staff shall be treated with respect and all shall be treated equally regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, membership of the travelling community, or political persuasion.

Where we are involved in recruitment or promotion, we shall ensure that we understand and comply with the relevant statutory requirements and internal FÁS procedures. We shall not serve on a recruitment or promotion panel where our relationship with the applicants could be seen to create a conflict of interest. At no stage will we seek to influence the outcome of a recruitment or promotion process by any improper means. Information secured as part of the recruitment and promotion processes shall be treated as confidential. In this regard, the core values of the organisation, in particular professionalism and trustworthiness shall be applied.

Respect

In performing our work, we shall at all times respect the rights of others and ensure that all colleagues, suppliers, customers, and members of the public are treated with courtesy, respect and dignity. We shall not engage in any activity that could reasonably be seen as bullying, harassment, or in any way improper.

Health & Safety

We will ensure that all those who avail of FÁS services are provided with safe and hygienic conditions. As members of staff, we shall ensure that we are adequately informed on all relevant safety matters through the FÁS Safety Statement. We shall advise management of any safety deficiencies and assist them in the rectification of same.

Information Technology

The computer facilities, including the internet and e-mail facilities provided to assist the work of FÁS, will be treated with respect. It is recognised that those facilities are powerful tools for securing information and conducting business with colleagues and customers. It is also recognised that facilities must be treated with respect and used in a responsible fashion. For these reasons there are specific policies in place dealing with computer security, internet and e-mail use and we will ensure that we are familiar with these policies.

It is recognised by FÁS that, from time to time, staff may need to use these computer facilities for personal purposes. In return for this flexibility we will restrict the non-business related use of these facilities to lunch breaks and certain times outside of core working hours. We will ensure that no inappropriate data is exchanged, copied or viewed.

To ensure that FÁS information technology facilities are utilised in a manner which is consistent with statutory requirements, FÁS will record and monitor locations visited, time spent and downloads requested.

Thank you for your co-operation.

May 2003.