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Home My WebLink AboutC12.0 Ethics �'l3llRl�ll `Y 111CJ- 1' E A S CITY OF GRAPEVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY SUBJECT- ETHICS POLICY SECTION. C NUMBER: 12.0 PREPARED BY- CMO/FINANCE EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/2/17 PAGE: 1 of 5 PURPOSE This policy is to set forth guidelines for ethical behavior and does not purport to be all inclusive. All elected officials, Council appointees and employees of the City of Grapevine have a responsibility to Grapevine citizens to conduct City business in an ethical manner, safeguard all assets of the municipality, and comply with all applicable federal and state laws, the City of Grapevine Charter, and local rules and regulations.Additionally, the City Council may require appointed boards and commissions to adhere to this policy. POLICY All employees must be familiar with and conform to all standards of conduct as detailed in this policy and this manual. Examples of ethical behavior include honesty, integrity, fairness, loyalty, respect, and accountability. Conversely, non-ethical values include dishonesty and placing personal happiness, status, or gain above the good of the many. The questions below focus on the pertinent aspects of ethical behavior and provide a quick test with which employees should judge situations: • Is the action legal? • Is it right? • Who will be affected? • Does it fit the City of Grapevine values? • How will I feel afterwards? • How will it look in the newspaper? • Will it reflect poorly on the City of Grapevine? Employees and officials faced with a situation they are unsure of how to handle should ask for guidance from their manager, Human Resources, the City Manager's Office or the City Attorney's Office. The appearance of wrongdoing can sometimes be as damaging to an organization as actual wrongdoing. City officials and employees must always be aware of how their actions may be perceived even if their behavior is innocent and their intentions are good. Revised: 9/15/2020 �'l3llRl�ll `Y 111CJ- 1' E A S CITY OF GRAPEVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY SUBJECT- ETHICS POLICY SECTION. C NUMBER: 12.0 PREPARED BY- CMO/FINANCE EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/2/17 PAGE: 2 of 5 ETHICAL STANDARDS 1 . A City official or employee shall obey and shall not engage in any conduct prohibited by the laws of the United States, Texas, or any other state or political subdivision wherein the conduct of the employee occurred. 2. A City official or employee shall not accept or solicit any gift, favor, or service that might reasonably tend to influence him or her in the discharge of official duties or that the official or employee knows or should know is being offered with the intent to influence his or her official conduct. 3. A City official or employee shall not intentionally or knowingly solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit for having exercised his or her official powers or performed his or her official duties in favor of another. 4. A City official or employee shall not transact any business in his or her official capacity with any business entity of which he or she is related, an officer, agent, or member, or in which the official or employee owns a substantial interest. Substantial interest is defined in Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 171 .002. 5. A City official or employee shall not disclose confidential information acquired by reason of his or her official position. 6. A City official or employee shall not use privileged information obtained in the course of his or her duties for personal benefit. 7. City officials shall conduct themselves in accordance with the Conflict of Interest requisites of Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 171 . 8. A City official shall make the required disclosures under Chapter 171 of the Texas Local Government Code. 9. A City official or employee shall not make personal investments that could reasonably be expected to create a substantial conflict between this private interest and the public interest. Financial interest can arise from property ownership, business investment, leadership in a business entity or receipt of income and gifts. Revised: 9/15/2020 �'l3llRl�ll `Y 111CJ- 1' E A S CITY OF GRAPEVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY SUBJECT- ETHICS POLICY SECTION. C NUMBER: 12.0 PREPARED BY- CMO/FINANCE EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/2/17 PAGE: 3 of 5 10. A City official or employee shall not accept other employment or compensation that could reasonably be expected to impair independence of judgment in the performance of his City duties. It is never permissible to accept a gift in cash or cash equivalent such as stocks, or other forms of marketable securities of any amount. 11 . A City official or employee shall not discriminate against or favor any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetics, disability, or any other legally protected category with regard to appointed positions or employment with the City. 12. A City official or employee shall not engage in sexual or any other prohibited harassment as defined in the City's policy. 13. A City official or employee shall not use City property, equipment, or supplies for personal reasons. Incidental use of City of Grapevine property(such as telephones, computers, and Internet access) is permissible, provided such use complies with applicable policies and does not result in additional cost to the City or hinder work performance. 14. A City official or employee is expected to serve as a model of leadership and civility to the community and treat all members of the public, each other, and the issues before them with respect. In order to promote the highest standards of respect and integrity, all City officials and employees should practice civility and decorum in discussions, debates and, in dealing with both the public and coworkers. Courtesy and respect build goodwill and are vital for establishing a healthy work environment. A City official or employee should treat others as they would like to be treated. 15. A City official or employee shall maintain accurate business documents and records. No one may knowingly enter false information on a document. No one without the authority to do so may alter, destroy, or expunge information on any record or document. 16. A City official or employee shall immediately report any suspected violation of this policy in accordance with the complaint procedure outlined herein. Revised: 9/15/2020 �'l3llRl�ll `Y 111CJ- 1' E A S CITY OF GRAPEVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY SUBJECT- ETHICS POLICY SECTION. C NUMBER: 12.0 PREPARED BY- CMO/FINANCE EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/2/17 PAGE: 4 of 5 17. Any City representatives, including contractors and volunteers, that do business on- behalf of or represent the City in any way will be required to follow all requirements of this policy, and they will be required to sign an acknowledgement of their receipt and understanding of this policy. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE Any person who believes a violation of this policy has occurred should immediately report the matter to one of the following: Immediate Supervisor and/or Department Manager or Director Internal Audit Director (817) 410-3115 Human Resources Director (817) 410-3175 City Attorney (972) 650-7105 City Manager (817) 410-3103 Reports of suspected violations should contain as much detail as possible since facts and documentation will aid in the investigation. INVESTIGATION Reported complaints will be investigated by one or more of the following: Internal Auditor, Human Resources, City Attorney's Office, City Manager, Mayor and/or City Council. The appropriate personnel shall conduct and/or direct a timely and impartial investigation. If necessary, outside investigators may be used. Relevant evidence shall be gathered and evaluated, and a recommendation made regarding the appropriate remedy and/or disciplinary action. RETALIATION Retaliation against employees or officials who make a good faith charge or report of conduct prohibited by this policy is prohibited. Acts of retaliation must be reported immediately as set out above. RESPONSIVE ACTION Revised: 9/15/2020 �'l3llRl�ll `Y 111CJ- 1' E A S CITY OF GRAPEVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY SUBJECT- ETHICS POLICY SECTION. C NUMBER: 12.0 PREPARED BY- CMO/FINANCE EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/2/17 PAGE: 5 of 5 Misconduct under this policy will be dealt with appropriately. Discipline will be imposed upon any employee who is found to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy. Likewise, disciplinary action will be imposed in situations where claims of prohibited conduct were false, fabricated or exaggerated. Misconduct by officials and/or commission and board members will be handled in accordance with appropriate laws, procedures, and/or provisions for the specific board or commission. Appropriate action to prevent future non-compliance will be taken by providing training on the topic to employees, or addressing it by reviewing the policy and updating it accordingly. ANNUAL REVIEW Periodic training over ethics and this policy will be held for City officials and employees. Annually, all City officials and employees should acknowledge their receipt and understanding of this policy. Revised: 9/15/2020