Ethical Workplace: Breaches are serious and so are the consequences

October 2016

As ESDC's Values and Ethics Director, I often get asked if there are consequences for breaching the Code of Conduct (the Code). My answer is simple – yes, and they are serious.

The Code is the document that contains our values and which sets out expected ethical behaviour for ESDC employees. As public servants, it is our duty to uphold The Code's values of respect for democracy, respect for people, integrity, stewardship and excellence in our everyday work. By upholding The Code, we ensure that the best programs, policies, and services are provided to Canadians. When a public servant breaches The Code, the trust of Canadians and the reputation of our Department are put at risk. This is the reason we take breaches of The Code so seriously and we take actions to address and prevent further harm.

The consequences to breaching The Code vary from case-to-case, considering the severity of the breach, whether it was a first offence as well as other factors. For the 69 breaches that were founded in 20152016, 50% of individuals received reprimands (either written of verbal), 30% received a suspension up to 3 days and 20% received a suspension of 3 days or more up to and including termination.

From these 69 founded breaches, the most common breaches were disrespectful and inappropriate behaviour, misuse of Government assets, preferential treatment and unauthorized or inappropriate access to information.

Given the importance of the services we provide Canadians, we need to ensure that we are always holding our behaviour to a high ethical standard. As public servants, we need to be familiar with the ethical behaviour that is expected of us in The Code and to also avail ourselves to the support mechanisms at our disposition. We must also understand the severity of the consequences of breaches to our department and Canadians which is part of striving to be the best public service we can be and bringing excellence to everything we do each and every day.

Therefore, I encourage employees to inform themselves on the proper professional conduct for a public servant by familiarizing themselves with the ESDC Code of Conduct. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Code or if your team would like to receive an information session on the Code please contact the Office of Values and Ethics.

Albert Tshimanga
Director, Office of Values and Ethics