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It is the goal of ECC to provide
an example for other human service, non-profit organizations, by
establishing a high standard of performance, professionalism, and ethical
conduct. ECC intends to create an environment that fosters ethical conduct,
where no employee will ever feel the need to compromise personal integrity
to help achieve the mission of the agency.
The Elm City Code of Ethics sets forth values, ethical principles, and
ethical standards to which the Elm City staff aspire and by which their
actions can be judged. The Elm City Code of Ethics cannot guarantee ethical
behavior. Moreover, the code of ethics cannot resolve all ethical issues
disputes, nor capture the richness and complexity involved in striving to
make responsible choices within a moral community.
The Elm City Code of Ethics is relevant to
all Elm City 's ECC Board of directors, staff, volunteers, and consultants,
regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work,
or the population they serve. While working under the Elm City 's Code of
Ethics, the staff, volunteers and consultants must be conscientious,
committed, and honest in their work as well as in aspects of their private
lives that are related to their respective jobs in the organization
ECC pledges to set the
standard for professional conduct by acting with integrity. We know that
acting with integrity builds credibility, both within the organization and
throughout the communities within which we operate. A reputation for
integrity is a significant corporate asset. ECC Board of Directors and the
executive staff are committed to making ECC the most valued Elm City in our
field. We will accomplish this by saying what we mean, doing what we say,
and making a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve.
ECC will be accountable
to the public by demonstrating the highest standards if personal and
corporate integrity, fairness, honesty, and compliance with both the spirit
and the letter of the law. ECC aims to set the standard for ethical conduct
by subscribing to the established Codes of Ethics for social workers,
certified rehabilitation counselors, certified public accountants, and other
relevant professions. Beyond this, ECC endorses five basic principles:
Honesty
To be truthful in all our
endeavors, to be honest and forthright with one another and with our
consumers, referral sources, and community partners.
Respect
To treat one another with
dignity and fairness, appreciating the diversity of our work force, the
uniqueness of each employee, and the confidentiality of each consumer
Trust
To build confidence
through teamwork and open, candid communication at all levels of the
organization.
Responsibility
To speak up without fear
of retribution and report concerns in the workplace, including violations of
laws, regulations, ethical standards, and Elm City policies, and seek
clarification and guidance when in doubt.
Citizenship
To obey the laws of the
land, work to make our communities more productive, and act with pride and
confidence as a representative of ECC.
We promise to apply the
standard of integrity to all we do as related to: our Staff, ECC Board of
Directors, volunteers, financial practices, marketing activities, consumer
services, referral/funding source interests, and other stakeholders' issues.
The following examples
provide a framework within which ECC applies the foregoing standard:
Treat in an Ethical
Manner Those to Whom ECC has an Obligation.
We are committed to
the ethical treatment of those to whom we have an obligation.
For our employees
we are committed to honesty, just management, and fairness, providing a safe
and healthy environment, opportunity for career growth, and respecting the
dignity due everyone.
For our consumers,
families, and guardians we are committed to respect, concern, courtesy,
and responsiveness recognizing that service to them is our primary
responsibility.
For our customers
we are committed to produce reliable products and consumer-driven services,
delivered in a timely manner, at a fair price, and with expected outcomes.
For the communities
in which we live and work, we are committed to acting as concerned and
responsible neighbors as we seek ways to share ECC mission with others,
reflecting all aspects of good citizenship.
For our funding
sources and governing authorities we are committed to pursuing financial
stability, sound growth, and to exercising prudence in the use of our assets
in a manner that helps promote the improvement of programs and services to
persons with disabilities.
Obey the Law.
We will conduct our
business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance
with the law does not comprise our entire ethical responsibility. Rather, it
is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for performance of our duties.
Promote a Positive
Work Environment.
All employees want and
deserve a workplace where they feel respected, satisfied, and appreciated.
Harassment or discrimination of any kind and especially involving race,
color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, and veteran or
marital status is unacceptable in our workplace environment.
Providing an environment
that supports the honesty, integrity, respect, trust, responsibility, and
citizenship of every employee permits us the opportunity to achieve
excellence in our workplace. While everyone who works for ECC must
contribute to the creation and maintenance of such an environment, our
executive and management personnel assume responsibility for fostering a
context for work that will bring out the best in all of us.
Work Safely: Protect
Yourself and Your Fellow Employees.
We are committed to
providing a drug-free, safe, and healthy work environment. Each of us is
responsible for compliance with environmental, health, and safety laws and
regulations. Observe posted warnings and regulations. Report immediately to
the appropriate management staff person any accident or injury sustained on
the job, or any environmental or safety concern you may have.
Keep Accurate and Complete Records.
We must maintain accurate and complete records.
Transactions between ECC and outside individuals and organizations must be
promptly and accurately entered in our books in accordance with generally
accepted accounting practices and principles. Entries into the case record
must be made in a timely manner and reflect the desires and preferences of
the persons receiving services, the services provided in response, and the
actual outcomes achieved. Financial records and case record information must
be treated with strict confidentiality. No one should rationalize or even
consider misrepresenting facts, falsifying records, or compromising
confidentiality. It is illegal, will not be tolerated, and will result in
disciplinary action.
Steer Clear of
Conflicts of Interest
Playing favorites or
having conflicts of interest- in practice or in appearance- runs counter to
the fair treatment that we are all entitled. Avoid any relationship,
influence, or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, your
ability to make objective and fair decisions when performing your job. When
in doubt, share the facts of the situation with your supervisor.
Mechanism to Address
Violations of the Ethics
Any allegation of
violation of ECC standards for integrity will be taken seriously and
thoroughly investigated by the appropriate executive staff member or
governing authority in accordance with policies set forth in the ECC
Personnel Manual. In these situations where a potential breach of an
established professional Code of Ethics may have occurred, the allegation
will be reported in writing to the President/CEO with review by the ECC
BOARD of Directors. |
Illinois
