16.1 PREAMBLE.

Staff members of the University are integral members of the campus community, as they work to support the University's threefold mission of teaching, research, and service. They provide services necessary for a high quality educational experience to undergraduate, graduate, and professional program students. They provide services to and participate in the various research endeavors conducted at the University. Staff members also provide a myriad of direct services to students, families, the greater University community, and the State of Iowa.
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16.2 POLICY.
(Amended 1/05)

a. Staff members will adhere to ethical standards of professional conduct and act in a manner consistent with the University's mission and core values for excellence, learning, community, diversity, integrity, respect, and responsibility.

b. The accountabilities reflected in this policy statement are essential to the full achievement of the University's mission and goals. The policy is a product of the University's accountability to the citizens of the state, as public employees of the State of Iowa. The adherence to these ethical standards should be reflected both in the work product of each staff member, and in staff member's interactions with students, colleagues, customers, and clients of their work. It is the obligation of each University of Iowa staff member to make a good faith effort to understand these standards and to conduct themselves accordingly.

In addition, University staff members are expected to comply with all board of Regents, State of Iowa, policies, including the Regents Code of Business and Fiduciary Conduct. Employing units of the University also may establish more specific expectations in addition to these standards or elaborate on these standards in greater detail, such as the Code of Ethical Conduct specific to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Such expectations will be clearly communicated to affected staff.

c. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action. Supervisors will investigate and appropriately address perceived violations of the Policy on Ethics and Responsibilities with individual staff members under their authority. Reports of alleged violations of the policy initiated by other members of the University community may be initiated through the Administrative Review procedures (III-28.2), unless specifically reserved to a particular procedure defined in University policy.

d. Alleged violations of University policies should be investigated and addressed promptly, following appropriate procedures for performance management and/or discipline. Disciplinary sanctions may include written letters of discipline, paid or unpaid disciplinary suspensions, and/or termination of employment as warranted by the individual circumstances. Unpaid suspensions may be applied to salaried staff exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act for violation of written policies governing workplace conduct rules or for violations of state or federal laws. Disciplinary sanctions should be taken only as necessary to ensure the standards of conduct and performance are maintained.

16.3 DEFINITIONS.

a. "Members of the University community" means faculty, staff, and students; and any individuals using University of Iowa resources or facilities, or receiving funds administered by the University; including University affiliates, and volunteers and representatives who may speak or act as agents for the University, or any other individuals staff members may interact with in the course of their employment.

b. "Staff members" as referenced in this policy includes the Professional and Scientific and Merit system employees of the University, as well as formally appointed administrators in their capacity in making non-academic decisions (Executive Vice President and Provost, vice presidents, deans, directors and departmental executive officers).

16.4 ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
(Amended 3/08; 2/13)

Note: Effective February 2013, this policy has been revised. For individual changes, see the redlined version.

a. Professional conduct. Staff members will conscientiously and professionally fulfill their assigned responsibilities relative to faculty, students, colleagues, customers, and clients. They will meet reasonable standards of work quality and quantity, as established by their supervisor. They will act with honesty and integrity in all matters related to their employment. When fulfilling workplace responsibilities in supervision of other staff, supervisors will demonstrate professional conduct through both instruction and example. All staff will support intellectual freedom among all members of the University. For example:
(1) Staff will report to work free of influence of alcohol and drugs that may impair their performance and able to perform their work in a safe manner.

(2) Staff will refrain from unauthorized use of work effort or resources for non-University business.

(3) Staff will maintain regular attendance and provide an acceptable quantity and quality of work.

(4) Where appropriate, staff will promote and protect diversity of opinion in the workplace, in support of intellectual freedom.

(5) Supervisors will be responsible to encourage the intellectual and professional growth of staff members for whom they have supervisory responsibility.

b. Fairness. Staff will be fair and treat equitably all members of the University community. For example:
(1) Staff will adhere to and promote the University Policy on Human Rights (II-3).

(2) Staff will disclose and manage any real or reasonably perceived conflicts of interest (see II-18 and III-8), so as not to interfere with objective judgment.

(3) Supervisors will be held accountable for fairness related to those staff members for whom they have supervisory responsibility, and will carry out their supervisory responsibilities consistent with the standards outlined in this policy.

(4) The equitable treatment of staff will be based upon consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances to the individual situations, which may lead to differences in treatment based upon these factors.

c. Civility. Staff will treat members of the University community with dignity and respect. Staff must not engage in, nor permit incivility in or affecting the workplace or classroom. For example:
(1) Staff will respect the diversity of individuals in the workplace and respect the differences among them.

(2) Staff will not use threatening, intimidating, or abusive language, or otherwise engage in conduct that creates a hostile environment that interferes with work of the unit.

(3) Staff will comply with the University Policy on Violence (II-10).

(4) Supervisors will establish and maintain standards for collaborative interaction among peers and employees that is characterized by respect, honesty, and service, and will constructively manage conflict as it occurs.

d. Compliance. Supervisory staff will see that those who report to them are informed about, understand, and comply with laws, regulations, policies, or procedures. Staff will understand and comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to their duties. Staff are responsible for adherence to University policies and procedures. For example:
(1) Staff will comply with health and safety regulations and policies, including those governing the reporting of workplace injuries or illnesses, and use of hazardous materials in the workplace.

(2) Staff will comply with University policies governing the use and protection of University resources.

(3) Staff will comply with procedures to assure the ethical treatment of humans and animals in research.

(4) Staff will report any unsafe workplace conditions or practices to appropriate University authorities.

(5) Senior managers are responsible for the compliance to the Regents Code of Business and Fiduciary Conduct for themselves and also those for whom they are responsible.

e. Information and data management. Staff will act with honesty and integrity with respect to information and data management, and will respect the rights and dignity of all University members by keeping confidential information secure, including patient records, student records, library circulation records, and employee personnel, grievance, and medical files. For example:
(1) Staff will refrain from any breach of confidentiality, falsification, fabrication, destruction, inappropriate and/or unacknowledged appropriation, or other misuse of data, and shall report any violations of such to appropriate administrative authority.

(2) Supervisors are responsible to establish appropriate safeguards for the information and data under their authority, and to assure their staff members have the ability and expectation to comply with appropriate expectations for the protection and appropriate use of this information.

(3) All staff will adhere to the University policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (II-19).

f. Stewardship. Staff will exercise fairness, integrity, and respect in the use of University resources, and will be responsible and accountable for the appropriate use of University equipment, facilities, and all other University assets. For example:
(1) Staff will safeguard University time and property from inappropriate use, appropriation, or abuse.

(2) Staff will not accept money for research or gifts on behalf of the University or as part of their University activities except as prescribed by University policy (see II-35).

(3) Staff will assure that all funds provided for research must be spent in ways consistent with the funding documents and in compliance with the guidelines on allowable costs.

(4) Staff in charge of budgets will monitor records of expenditures for compliance with University policies and procedures and will allow these records to be viewed by appropriate parties.

(5) Staff are strongly encouraged to report potential financial fraud or other inappropriate use of University assets through one of the following options:

(a) Through their normal line of authority, starting with their supervisor, or anyone above, or,

(b) To any financial or Human Resources representative within their organizational unit (e.g., college), or,

(c) To a central University office such as University Controller, University Human Resources/Employee and Labor Relations, Office of General Counsel, or Office of Internal Audit,

(d) In the case of possible criminal activity, the Department of Public Safety, or

(e) Through EthicsPoint at 1 (866) 294-9350 or at http://president.uiowa.edu/about-university/ethics-and-conduct; or

(f) UI Health Care Employees may report through the Joint Office for Compliance Helpline at Compliance@healthcare.uiowa.edu or at (319) 384-8282.

The University's Anti-Retaliation policy (II-11) prohibits adverse actions resulting from the filing of a report of University-related misconduct.

(6) Supervisors are responsible for the staff assigned to them, and will correct, through education, coaching or discipline, any violations of University policy or lack of satisfactory performance.

g. Relevant policies. In order to fully comply with this statement on professional ethics and responsibilities, it is essential that staff understand and comply with all University of Iowa regulations relevant to their employment. In particular, staff members need to understand the expectations contained in the following University of Iowa policies and statements listed below:
Non-discrimination Statement: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/06.htm

Disability Protection Policy and Accessibility Statement: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/07.htm

Sexual Harassment and Consensual Relationships: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/04.htm

Statement on Diversity: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/08.htm

Human Rights Policy: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/03.htm

Drug Free Environment: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/12.htm

Policy on Violence: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/10.htm

Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/15.htm

Anti-Harassment: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/14.htm

Financial Fraud Policy and Processes to Prevent and Detect Its Occurrence: www.uiowa.edu/~fuscntrl/financial_fraud_policy.html

Regents Code of Business and Fiduciary Conduct: www2.state.ia.us/regents/Policies/Chapter%207/chapter7.02.htm

In addition, other relevant policies may include the following, depending upon the staff member's position and responsibilities:
Ethics in Research: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/27.htm#276

University Work Rules for Merit Staff: www.uiowa.edu/~hrpersvc/relations/workrules.html

Stewardship of Personnel Files: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/iii/07.htm

Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/19.htm

Anti-Retaliation: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/11.htm

Conflicts of Commitment and Interest: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/18.htm

Conflict of Interest in Employment: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/iii/08.htm

Self-Identification through Use of the University Name: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/33.htm

Iowa Gift Law: www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/35.htm

Where it would be difficult for staff to access, read, and/or understand these policies, it is the responsibility of the immediate supervisor to facilitate the communication of each of these policies or statements to the individual staff member. University staff will comply with the terms of relevant University policies as part of their employment obligation.
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